The Northern Illinois Huskies (5-4) will be at home in the Convocation Center when they square off against the Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-7). Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Western Illinois Leathernecks at Northern Illinois Huskies ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Huskies had no trouble getting past the Rockford University Regents, 93-54, while the Leathernecks were beaten by the Creighton Bluejays, 78-67.
Northern Illinois played a flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.233 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 40.0. Rockford University put up marks of 0.117 and 23.7, respectively, for those same stats. Western Illinois, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (13.1 vs. 14.3). Northern Illinois was lifted by Levi Bradley, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kobe Webster, meanwhile played a pivotal role for Western Illinois with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Webster has taken his game to another level recently for Western Illinois, averaging 0 points over the last five games.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, this appears to be a balanced matchup. Since the 2017-18 season, the Northern Illinois offense ranks ninth in the nation in that metric at 0.518, while the Western Illinois defense ranks 50th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.485). Furthermore, the Leathernecks rank 276th in offensive rebounding percentage (22.7 percent), while the Huskies rank 43rd in defensive rebounding percentage (71.9 percent).
Western Illinois Leathernecks at Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Northern Illinois, ATS Winner – Western Illinois, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- Northern Illinois ranks ninth in rebounds allowed per game (33.6) while Western Illinois ranks 217th (36.1).
- The Huskies rank 35th in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Leathernecks rank 104th (6.4).
- Western Illinois ranks 191st in three pointers attempted per game (19.5) while Northern Illinois ranks 255th (16.4).
- The Leathernecks rank 24th in blocks per game (4.2) while the Huskies rank 184th (1.9).
- Western Illinois ranks 96th in assists allowed per game (12.5) while Northern Illinois ranks 240th (15.1).
