Offense meets defense when the Northern Illinois Huskies (6-4) travel to Northern Kentucky to take on the Norse (9-3). The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 20, 2018.
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Northern Kentucky Norse Betting Prediction
The last time the Huskies played, they blew out the Rockford University Regents, 93-54. The Huskies had a much better free throw rate (0.233 vs. 0.117) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (40.0 vs. 23.7). Levi Bradley fueled Northern Illinois with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Norse easily got past the Wilmington (OH) Quakers in their last outing, 102-38. The Norse had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (60.0 vs. 21.3) and had a much better free throw rate (0.323 vs. 0.121). Jalen Tate was the top scorer from either team with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field.
Northern Kentucky could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their upper-echelon offense squares off against one of the worst defenses in the nation. The Norse currently rank 29th in effective field goal percentage (0.562), while Northern Illinois ranks 319th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.543).
Drew McDonald has averaged 0 points over the last five games for Northern Kentucky.
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, McDonald scored a game-high 28 points and the Norse beat the Huskies 88-85. He also recorded 14 rebounds. Northern Kentucky was lights out from beyond the arc (14-33; 42.4 percent). Northern Illinois, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.3 vs. 18.4).
Northern Illinois Huskies at Northern Kentucky Norse ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Northern Kentucky, ATS Winner – Northern Illinois, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Northern Kentucky ranks 47th in three pointers attempted per game (26.3) while Northern Illinois ranks 243rd (18.0).
The Norse rank 30th in assists per game (16.4) while the Huskies rank 218th in assists allowed per game (16.2).
Northern Illinois ranks ninth in blocks allowed per game (1.8) while Northern Kentucky ranks 109th (3.6).
The Huskies rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (28.9) while the Norse rank 105th (34.4).
Northern Kentucky allows the 36th-fewest steals per game (5.4) while Northern Illinois ranks 40th (5.5).
Bettings Trends:
The Huskies’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.0, up from 7.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Norse have scored an average of 85.0 points per game (5.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 57.0 points per game (8.4 below their season average).
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