College hoops betting interest focuses on the East Tennessee State vs Northern Kentucky battle Thursday at ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center as the Buccaneers look to defend home court and cover the NCAA basketball point spread.

The Buccaneers sit at 6-16 (1-2 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Norse are currently 6-11 (2-2 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? East Tennessee State is 1-2 OU, and Northern Kentucky is 0-0 OU.



View Northern Kentucky vs East Tennessee State Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Odds Shark Power Rankings have the Buccaneers at No. 325 and the Norse at No. 269 heading into this contest. Handicapping models at Odds Shark project a 60-54 result in favor of the Norse.



How They Match Up:
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Norse rank No. 326 in NCAA Division 1 with 30.4 per game. That compares with East Tennessee State’s No. 320 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where East Tennessee State is college basketball's No. 122-ranked team at 6.6 per game, while the Norse rate No. 46 with 7.7 per game.

Defensively, Northern Kentucky features the nation's No. 47-rated defense on the road, allowing 62.6 points per game. East Tennessee State, meanwhile, comes in at No. 218 nationally in scoring at home.

Northern Kentucky was a 64-53 Sportsbook in its last match at home against Kennesaw State. Eshaunte Jones scored 25 points for Northern Kentucky on Saturday, leading the Norse to a 64-53 win over Kennesaw State at The Bank of Kentucky Center.

In their last action, East Tennessee State was an 88-71 loser on the road against USC Upstate. The Buccaneers endured an 88-71 loss at the hands of the Spartans on Monday, despite a 19-point effort from Jarvis Jones at G. B. Hodge Center.

Next up:
Northern Kentucky at USC Upstate, Saturday, February 2
East Tennessee State home to Lipscomb, Saturday, February 2