Northern Illinois vs Eastern Illinois Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/29/24

Nakyel Shelton leads Eastern Illinois in scoring this season, with an average of 17.2 points and 4 rebounds, while Kooper Jacobi adds 13.3 points and a team-high 8.3 rebounds.

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview

The Northern Illinois Huskies have a 2-5 record this season and are coming off an 82-87 loss in Valparaiso. The Huskies are 3-3 against the spread, and 2-4 in over/under while having a 0-4 road record.

Offensively, Northern Illinois is averaging 70.1 points per game, which ranks 292nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 74.1 points per game (292nd). The Huskies shoot 41.7% from the field (294th) and  33.7% from beyond the arc (173rd). The Huskies shoot 68.4% from the free-throw line (242nd) and are grabbing 34.7 rebounds per game (265th).

Quentin Jones leads Northern Illinois in scoring this season, with an average of 15.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while James Dent adds 12.1 points per game and a team-high 5.6 rebounds. Northern Illinois will play against Northern Iowa following this game.

Why the Eastern Illinois Panthers will win

• Northern Illinois has lost each of its last eight road games against non-conference opponents.
• Eastern Illinois has won each of its last six games at First Mid Court at Groniger Arena following a road loss.
• Northern Illinois has lost the first half in each of its last eight day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win

• Eastern Illinois has lost each of its last nine games against the Mid-American Conference.
• Northern Illinois has won four of its last five games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
• Eastern Illinois has lost the first half in each of its last 11 Friday games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Ten of Northern Illinois' last 11 day games have produced a total of 139+ points.
• Each of Eastern Illinois' last four day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at First Mid Court at Groniger Arena have produced a total of 129 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Eastern Illinois ranks 356th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (16.3).

Northern Illinois Huskies vs Eastern Illinois Panthers Prediction

Eastern Illinois leads Northern Illinois 4-2 wins in their last 6 meetings, but both teams are tied 3-3 against the spread. In this Northern Illinois Huskies vs Eastern Illinois Panthers Prediction, Eastern Illinois is coming as -2 home favorites. The Panthers are worse than the Huskies both offensively, scoring 4.6 points less, and defensively, allowing 7.4 points more. But both teams have been struggling offensively, as they rank in the bottom 70 of the nation, scoring 136.6 points combined. They also struggle with their shooting, as both rank in the bottom 70 in the nation in field goal percentage. I expect points to be at a premium in this one, so take the under.