The Ohio Bobcats (11-8, 3-4 MAC) will be at the Convocation Center to go head-to-head with the Northern Illinois Huskies (11-9, 4-3 MAC) in a MAC matchup. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, and will air on ESPN 3.
Ohio Bobcats at Northern Illinois Huskies ATS Odds
In their last game, the Huskies lost a close one to the Akron Zips, 67-65, while the Bobcats beat the Ball State Cardinals, 78-74.
Ohio played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 13.9 (better than their season average of 18.5) and a free throw rate of 0.134 (matching their season average). For those same stats, Ball State was 20.9 and 0.098, respectively. Northern Illinois, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of making free throws (15-20; 75.0 percent). Eugene German had a good outing for Northern Illinois, contributing 23 points and nine rebounds. Ohio, meanwhile, received a boost from Jason Carter, who had 16 points and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Lacey James led the Huskies to a 72-66 victory. He registered a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Northern Illinois had a better turnover percentage (13.8 vs. 17.5). Ohio, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.500 vs. 0.484).
When considering effective field goal percentage, Northern Illinois should have a significant edge. The sweet-shooting Huskies offense ranks 26th in the nation in that metric at 0.557, while the Ohio defense is ranked 227th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.511).
Ohio at Northern Illinois ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Northern Illinois, ATS Winner – Northern Illinois, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Northern Illinois ranks 43rd in steals allowed per game (5.4) while Ohio ranks 201st (8.7).
- The Bobcats rank 177th in three pointers allowed per game (23.4) while the Huskies rank 264th (26.6).
- Ohio is 20th in the nation with 2.4 blocks allowed per game while Northern Illinois is 41st with 2.6 blocks allowed per game.
- The Bobcats average 14.3 assists per game, which ranks 97th in the nation. The Huskies rank 201st in assists allowed per game (14.7).
- Ohio ranks 41st in rebounds per game (38.8) while Northern Illinois ranks 137th (35.9).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Huskies have scored an average of 70.4 points per game (6.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
- The Bobcats’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.0, up from 1.0 for the season.
