UL Monroe (7-25) vs Northern Illinois (6-25)
November 3, 2025 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Northern Illinois -5.5 — Over/Under: +147.5
The UL Monroe Warhawks and Northern Illinois Huskies meet Monday in the college basketball action at the NIU Convocation Center. Here’s a UL Monroe vs Northern Illinois Prediction. This article will include a UL Monroe vs Northern Illinois Pick.
UL Monroe Warhawks Betting Preview
The UL Monroe Warhawks won 7 games last season and enter year 16 under coach Keith Richard. UL Monroe has won no more than 13 games in each of the last 6 years.
Renars Sondors returns after averaging 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds, while Micah Caster averaged 3.4 points and 0.6 assists. Ajay Tew is the only other returning player, and he played 44 minutes last season. UL Monroe hasn’t done much winning over the years and returns just 3 players from last season. UL Monroe says goodbye to its top-6 scorers from last season, including 4 players who averaged double-digit points. It’s likely going to be another long season for folks in Monroe, Louisiana.
Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview
The Northern Illinois Huskies won 6 games last season and enter year 5 under coach Rashon Burno. Northern Illinois has won no more than 13 games in each of the last 5 years.
Northern Illinois doesn’t return a single player from last year’s roster who logged minutes, so it’s fair to say this is a complete rebuild. The good news is that Jao Ituka comes over from Jacksonville State, and he’s an All-MAAC selection. Daemar Kelly comes over from Saint Francis, PA after averaging 8.1 points and 3.2 rebounds last season. JJ Taylor makes his third stop after playing in a combined 350 minutes for Memphis and UCF. Jaylen Wharton comes over from USF after not playing any minutes last season. The transfer portal will help out Northern Illinois, but not having a single returning player from last year isn’t a recipe for success this season.
Why the Northern Illinois Huskies will win
- Louisiana-Monroe has lost each of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Northern Illinois has won 13 of its last 14 Monday night games at NIU Convocation Center.
- Northern Illinois has won the first half in 22 of its last 29 night games against non-Conference opponents at NIU Convocation Center.
Why the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks will win
- Northern Illinois has lost 15 of its last 16 games against non-Conference opponents.
- The road team has won each of Northern Illinois’ last three games.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of Northern Illinois’ last 10 night games against non-Conference opponents at NIU Convocation Center have produced a total of 145 or fewer points.
- Five of Louisiana-Monroe’s last six road games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 145 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Northern Illinois ranked 356th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game last season (17.5).
- Northern Illinois ranked 25th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game last season (28.5).
- Louisiana-Monroe ranked 22nd among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game last season (15.0).
UL Monroe vs Northern Illinois Injury Report
Neither UL Monroe nor Northern Illinois have a player listed on its injury report.
UL Monroe vs Northern Illinois Prediction
I’m not excited to lay points with a Northern Illinois that’s breaking an entirely new roster, but let’s not act like UL Monroe is lighting the world on fire. UL Monroe doesn’t return any key contributors, and this is a program that’s been riding the struggle bus. Oddmakers don’t like UL Monroe anymore than I do. I’ll just accept that Northern Illinois has the talent edge and should win at home. The line isn’t crazy. Give me Northern Illinois.