The UIC Flames (2-15) will try to put an end to their seven-game skid when they take on the Northern Kentucky Norse (6-11) at Bank of Kentucky Center. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, Jan. 22 and can be seen on ES3.
The Norse enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Oakland 90-73 on Tuesday. Jalen Billups was the team’s leading scorer with 22 points on 7-for-8 shooting. The Flames, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 70-53 loss against Cleveland State on Monday. UIC lost despite the best efforts of Tai Odiase, who recorded his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Northern Kentucky, a substantial 13-point favorite, takes on UIC. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of 139 points. The Norse come into this game 6-11 Straight Up (SU) and 5-8 Against The Spread (ATS).
In the other locker room, the Flames have records of 3-12 ATS and 2-15 SU. UIC has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 2-7 record. The Flames have controlled the offensive glass with an average of 13.8 offensive rebounds per game, 26th in the country.
This game will be the first meeting for Northern Kentucky and UIC in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – UIC, ATS Winner – UIC, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois-Chicago’s last 5 games on the road.
Northern Kentucky holds a poor 2-4 SU record against teams in the Horizon Conference, but UIC has yet to win a game against one of its conference rivals (0-6).
The UIC Flames average 71.1 possessions per game and .920 points per possession. The Northern Kentucky Norse earn fewer possessions with 69.1, but they score more points with 1.027.
UIC has an average effective field goal percentage of 42.5%. Northern Kentucky is a losing 4-10 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Northern Kentucky Norse attempt 21.0 three point field goals per game and the UIC Flames attempt 14.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Northern Kentucky is 5-7, while UIC has a losing record of 1-3.
UIC, the 51st-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 4.9 per game. Northern Kentucky does worse, ranked 192nd with 3.3.
The UIC Flames rank 26th in offensive rebounds. The Northern Kentucky Norse rank 159th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
UIC has forced an average turnover percentage of 16.5% this season. Northern Kentucky has a subpar 4-9 record when its TO% is 16.5% or higher.
