| MATCHUP | Northern Illinois Huskies | Buffalo Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 8-16 | 15-10 |
| Spread | +8.5 -110 | -8.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | +350 | -455 |
| Total | Over 147.5 (-115) | Under 147.5 (-105) |
| Where | Alumni Arena, Buffalo, NY | |
| When | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Northern Illinois Huskies and the Buffalo Bulls meet Tuesday in college basketball action from UB Alumni Arena. Here’s a Northern Illinois vs Buffalo prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Northern Illinois vs Buffalo pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview
The Huskies posted a rough 5-7 run over their first dozen games this year, then fell to Buffalo, Kent State, Toledo and Eastern Michigan in the next four. Northern Illinois would hit a 3-4 run after that, falling to Ohio, Ball State, Miami-OH and Bowling Green among wins over UMass, Western Michigan and Georgia State. Over the first 23 games that made for an 8-15 overall record.
In the Central Michigan game on Saturday the Huskies were demolished in the first half on a 51-22 deficit. Northern Illinois was outscored on a 37-24 disadvantage the rest of the way, leading to an ugly blowout road loss 88-46 when the game concluded. Makhai Valentine led the team in the futile effort with 13 points and six assists in 33 minutes of work on the floor.
Buffalo Bulls Betting Preview
Over on the Bulls’ side, they managed a nice 13-2 run in their first 15 games with losses to only St. Bonaventure and East Carolina. Buffalo hit a 2-8 run in the next 10 games though, losing to Ohio, Kent State, Miami-OH, Akron, UMass, Ohio, Miami-OH and South Alabama among wins over Bowling Green and Ball State. In 25 games overall that gives the Bulls a 15-10 record in the books.
Matched up against Ball State back on Wednesday the Bulls were up 30-27 going into the second half. Buffalo kept it up on a 33-26 run from there and took the eventual victory 63-53 in a road matchup. The Bulls’ leading scorer was Tim O’Toole with 20 points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes. Angelo Brizzi had 17 points with four rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes of work.
Northern Illinois Huskies @ Buffalo Bulls Betting Trends: February 17, 2026
Why the Buffalo Bulls will win
- Northern Illinois has lost 14 of its last 15 road games against the Mid-American Conference.
- The home team has won seven of Northern Illinois’ last nine games.
- The home team has won the first half in eight of Northern Illinois’ last nine games.
Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win
- Buffalo has lost each of its last six home night games against the Mid-American Conference.
- The road team has won four of the last five games between Northern Illinois and Buffalo.
- The road team has won the first half in each of the last five games between Northern Illinois and Buffalo.
Northern Illinois vs Buffalo Prediction
I’ll lean toward Buffalo but I’m probably not touching it. The Bulls shot reasonably well (43.8 percent) in their win over Ball State, hitting 88.2 percent (15-of-17) from the line alongside a 31-24 rebounding edge. Buffalo added a 30-20 advantage on points in the paint and 35.2 percent shooting allowed on defense. The Bulls are just 1-3 in the last four games though, and they’ve scored fewer than 70 points in consecutive outings.
These teams last saw each other back on New Year’s Eve in an 81-67 road win for Buffalo. The Bulls shot well in that one (49.1 percent) and had a 29-26 advantage on points in the paint. Buffalo did cough up 14 turnovers—but so did the Huskies. In this home rematch the Bulls will need to keep the mistakes low and the shooting percentage elevated in order to get a much-needed victory.