Northern Illinois Huskies vs
Ball St. CardinalsPredictions & Preview

Cardinals Look to Continue Dominance over Huskies as Northern Illinois Seeks to End Losing Streak

Northern Illinois will be looking to end their four-game losing streak when they take on Ball State at Worthen Arena on Saturday afternoon. Despite the Huskies winning the first meeting of the season, the Cardinals have a strong track record against Northern Illinois, winning 8 out of their last 10 matchups. With Ball State being the betting favorite with a current line of -8.75, it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top in this Northern Illinois vs. Ball State showdown.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Huskies +320 | Cardinals -420
• Spread: Huskies +8.75 (-110) | Cardinals -8.75 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 148.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Ball St. will win straight-up is 81%.

Northern Illinois vs Ball St. Stats

Northern Illinois Huskies

The Northern Illinois Huskies are struggling this season with a four-game losing streak and 12 straight road losses. Offensively, they average 71.2 points per game and shoot 43.3 percent from the field. Quentin Jones leads the team with 18 points and seven rebounds per game. Defensively, they give up an average of 76.2 points per game and allow opponents to shoot 44.3 percent from the field. With a power ranking of 285, the Huskies are ranked 260 in offense and 305 in defense. They have a record of 5-19 this season.

Ball St. Cardinals Analysis

The Ball State Cardinals recently bounced back from a loss to Akron with wins over Southern Mississippi and Eastern Michigan, aiming to continue their momentum with a third consecutive win in their upcoming game. The team averages 76.4 points per game and showed strong offense in their last game, with standout performances from Jermahri Hill, Payton Sparks, and Jeremiah Hernandez. However, the Cardinals have struggled defensively, giving up 74.5 points per game and will need to improve in this area to secure a victory. Overall, Ball State has a power ranking of 179 and ranks #130 in offense and #251 in defense. Their statistics for field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-point shooting rank at #104, #286, and #134 in the NCAA, respectively. On defense, the Cardinals allow opponents to make 43.91% of field goals, 71.49% of free throws, and 31.60% of three-pointers. Additionally, they average 36.04 rebounds per game and have 13.52 offensive assists and 11.83 turnovers per game. Ultimately, improvements in defense will be crucial for the Cardinals as they face off against Northern Illinois.

Cardinals Dominate over Huskies in Recent Home Games

The Cardinals have demonstrated their superiority by winning two out of their last three home games, while the Huskies have suffered defeat in their past four matchups. Ball State currently holds an advantageous position due to their impressive shooting performance, with a shooting percentage of above 50% in their recent games, compared to the Huskies' shooting percentage of below 40% on away games. Additionally, the Cardinals excel in teamwork, rebounding, and minimizing turnovers, increasing their scoring opportunities. Conversely, the Huskies struggle defensively, allowing over 85 points per game on the road. As a result, anticipating a challenging match for the Huskies, it is advisable to favor Ball State in covering the spread.

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