Ball State vs Northern Illinois Predictions, College Basketball Picks Tonight 3/6/2020

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Northern Illinois Huskies

Date: Friday, March 6, 2020

Location: NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb, IL

TV: ESPNU, CBSS

Odds/Point Spread: Northern Illinois -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 124.5

The Ball State Cardinals travel to NIU Convocation Center to play the Northern Illinois Huskies on Friday, March 6, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Northern Illinois as 1.5 point favorites.

Ball State heads into this matchup with a mark of 17-13. They currently have a point differential of 6.5 as they are averaging 69.3 points per contest while giving up 62.8 per game. Northern Illinois has an overall mark of 18-12. They are averaging 67.2 points per contest and giving up 64.1, which is a point differential of 3.1.

Valuable Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 14-14-1 against the spread

The Ball State Cardinals are 9-19-1 against the over/under

Important Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 14-14-1 against the spread

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 9-19-1 against the over/under

Key Ball State Cardinals Injuries

11/17/19 F Zach Gunn Ankle is out for season

Key Northern Illinois Huskies Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Tahjai Teague comes into this contest averaging 14.3 points per game while playing 28.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 59%. Ishmael El-Amin averages 13.9 points per game in 32.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 3.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Eugene German averages 20.6 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Lacey James averages 9.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.9 rebounds per contest and 0.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 66%.

Useful Team Statistics

Ball State averages 69.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 229th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 6.5 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 241st. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 176th in the nation. They average 35.9 rebounds per game and 13.6 assists per game, which ranks them 147th and 138th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 171st with 13.1 per game. The Cardinals allow 62.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 53rd and 76th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 167th and they give up 9.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 13th place in Division 1. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 206th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Northern Illinois is 282nd in the country with 67.2 points per game this year. They are 269th in Division 1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 3.1. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 104th in the nation. They are 38th in the NCAA in rebounding with 38.8 boards per game, and 342nd in assists per contest with 10.0. The Huskies are 286th in turnovers per game with 11.9. The Huskies surrender 64.1 points per contest, which ranks them 39th in D-1. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 35th and 40th in those defensive statistics. They rank 93rd with 11.6 assists allowed per contest and 129th with 34.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Huskies are 30th in country in forcing turnovers with 11.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cardinals are 212th in the nation in offensive rating with 99.9. In terms of pace they are 169th in the country with 69.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 144th. As a team they are 177th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% of their shots, ranking 12th in Division 1. Ball State is 147th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.8 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Northern Illinois is 262nd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions. The Huskies have an offensive rating of 101, which is ranked 192nd. They are 308th in D-1 in pace with 66.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 263rd. As a unit they are 291st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 210th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Ball State/Northern Illinois college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Northern Illinois -1.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here