Northern Illinois vs Buffalo Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/8/24

Buffalo (4-26) vs Northern Illinois (10-20)

Game Info: Friday, March 8, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Alumni Arena)

Betting Odds: Buffalo +1 -- Over/Under: 149.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

Where to Watch: ESPN+

The Buffalo Bulls and the Northern Illinois Huskies will meet in MAC action this Friday from the Alumni Arena on ESPN+. NIU enters as narrow road favorites, with the total hovering 149.5. Stay tuned for our Northern Illinois vs Buffalo Prediction. 

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview

Northern Illinois dropped to 10-20 after losing to Central Michigan in DeKalb, 69-63. The Huskies were unable to rally back in the second half, and they’ll try to bounce back here in Buffalo. NIU is scoring 82.2 points per game, on 48.4% shooting, while allowing 76.2 ppg, and they’re currently 11th in the MAC with a 4-13 record in league play. The Huskies are 2-8 over their last ten games, and they’ve gone 4-11 on the road this season. 

NIU Team Analysis 

  • Junior guard David Coit poured in a career-high 34 points in the win over DePaul, and he leads NIU in scoring (17.5) and assists (3.9).
  • Newark native Zarique Nutter led the way with 21 points in his return to Jersey versus Monmouth, and  he’s second on the team at 16.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg.
  • Sophomore forward Xavier Amos has grabbed 10 boards in back-to-back games, and he leads the Huskies in rebounding (6.5), while scoring 12.8 ppg. 

Buffalo Bulls Preview

Buffalo dropped to 4-24 after losing to Ohio at home, 78-66. The Bulls were outscored in both halves by the Bobcats, and they’ll try to end the season on a better not here against the Huskies.  Buffalo is scoring 67.8 points per game, on 41.5% shooting, while allowing 79.5 ppg, and they’re currently last in the MAC with a 2-15 record in league play. The Bulls are 1-9 over their last ten games, and they’ve gone 2-12 in Buffalo this season. 

Buffalo Team Analysis

  • Veteran forward Sy Chatman scored 21 points or more in five straight games prior to the loss to Miami, and he leads Buffalo in scoring (17.9), while grabbing 6.6 rpg.
  • Jacksonville native Isaiah Adams has reached double figures in four of five games, and he’s second on the team at 12.4 ppg.  
  • Senior forward Jonnivius Smith grabbed a season-high 15 boards in the win over CMU, and he leads the Bulls in boards at 9.2 rpg, and he’s scoring 8.1 ppg.  

Northern Illinois vs Buffalo Game Trends

  • NIU is 13-15 against the spread, with a 14-14 O/U record.
  • BUF is 11-16 ATS, with a 12-15 over/under record.

Northern Illinois vs Buffalo Prediction  

Northern Illinois built some steam during the non-conference slate, but it was halted during league action, and I believe they’ll end the regular season the right way with a victory. Buffalo just hasn’t been able to figure things out this year, and while there’s a chance they do on Senior Night, I’d rather use this opportunity as one last time to fade them. Back NIU for this matchup in the MAC. 

Corey’s Pick NIU TO WIN

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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