Offense meets defense when the Northern Illinois Huskies (10-8, 3-2 MAC) welcome the No. 16 Buffalo Bulls (17-1, 5-0 MAC) to Convocation Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Prediction
In the Bulls’ last contest, they beat the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 77-65. Buffalo won the rebounding battle. The Bulls had 14 offensive rebounds and 39 total rebounds, while the Eagles had nine and 29, respectively. With 31 points on 10-for-16 shooting, CJ Massinburg was the game’s leading scorer.
The Huskies were beaten by the Kent State Golden Flashes in their last game, 78-68. Kent State’s 10.8 turnover percentage was the team’s largest advantage over Northern Illinois, who had a mark of 17.8. The Golden Flashes’ mark was better than their season average of 14.3. Northern Illinois’ Eugene German had a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 22 points on 8-for-16 shooting.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, the Huskies won 90-88. Northern Illinois made good use of their 29 trips to the free throw line, making 24 of them (82.8 percent). Buffalo, meanwhile, was just 11-26 (42.3 percent).
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Northern Illinois (46th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 112.8) takes on the stingy defense of Buffalo (55th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 95.5). The Bulls should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 18th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.6 percent), while the Huskies force the 91st-fewest turnovers in the country (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.9 percent).
Buffalo Bulls vs. Northern Illinois Huskies Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Northern Illinois, ATS Winner – Northern Illinois, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Buffalo averages 28.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 16th in the NCAA. Northern Illinois ranks 247th in three pointers allowed per game (26.0).
The Huskies rank 19th in rebounds allowed per game (30.8) while the Bulls rank 209th (37.1).
Buffalo averages 17.8 assists per game, which ranks 11th in the NCAA. Northern Illinois ranks 194th in assists allowed per game (14.9).
The Bulls rank 33rd in blocks per game (4.6) while the Huskies rank 186th (1.8).
Buffalo is 12th in the country with 4.8 steals allowed per game while Northern Illinois is 36th with 5.4 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Bulls’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 18.2, up from 15.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Huskies have scored an average of 73.0 points per game (5.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.6 points per game (2.7 below their season average).
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