The Northern Illinois Huskies (16-16, 9-10 MAC) clash against the Toledo Rockets (25-6, 13-5 MAC) in the Mid-American Conference Tourney at Quicken Loans Arena. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Toledo Rockets Betting Odds
The last time the Huskies played, they won big over the Ohio Bobcats, 80-61, comfortably covering as 3.5-point favorites. The Rockets, meanwhile, defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles in their last outing,64-58, but failed to cover as 10-point favorites. The Northern Illinois game went 2 points over the projected point total of 139, while the Toledo game went 12 points under the projected point total of 134.
The Huskies had an extraordinary effective field goal percentage of 0.640 (above their season average of 0.521) and had a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 15.4). The Rockets, meanwhile, held the Eagles to an effective field goal percentage of 0.442 (below their season average of 0.506) and had a free throw rate of 0.289 (above their season average of 0.206). Toledo was lifted by Jaelan Sanford, who recorded 14 points and six rebounds. Eugene German, meanwhile played a key role for Northern Illinois with 23 points and five rebounds.
Of the Huskies’ 30 games that accepted bets, 16 have finished under the projected point total. Northern Illinois holds records of 16-16 straight up (SU) and 17-13 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Rockets are involved, as 17 of their 30 games have ended under the total. Further, Toledo owns records of 25-6 SU and 18-12 ATS.
Toledo should have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Rockets currently rank 60th in offensive efficiency, while Northern Illinois ranks 205th in defensive efficiency. Additionally, the Huskies rank 290th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.201), while the Rockets rank 28th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.184).
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Toledo Rockets Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Toledo, ATS Winner – Northern Illinois, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Toledo ranks 48th in three pointers attempted per game (25.8) while Northern Illinois ranks 282nd (18.8).
- The Rockets rank 18th in rebounds per game (39.5) while the Huskies rank 176th (34.9).
- Northern Illinois ranks 25th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while Toledo ranks 142nd (6.5).
- The Rockets rank 16th in assists per game (16.6) while the Huskies rank 243rd (11.3).
- Toledo ranks 21st in blocks per game (4.6) while Northern Illinois ranks 200th (2.2).
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Northern Illinois and Toledo are both 3-2 ATS.
- The Huskies have 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games, while the Rockets have 4 unders and 1 over
- During their last five games, the Huskies have scored an average of 74.4 points per game (0.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.8 points per game (2.0 below their season average).
- The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.6, down from 9.6 for the season.
