The visiting Huskies hope to send their backers to the pay window on Saturday as they look to cover the spread at James A. Rhodes Arena against the Akron Zips.

Akron will face the 3-19 Huskies, who own a 9-10 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Zips are 10-10 favoring the UNDER so far this season while the Huskies are 7-12 favoring the OVER.



View Northern Illinois vs Akron Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
If you're backing the visitors in this one, you'll find the Huskies listed as 22-point underdogs

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 27-ranked Zips and the No. 317-rated Huskies in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 74-52 win for the Zips on Saturday.



How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Akron's No. 74-ranked scoring average of 73.3 PPG, against a Huskies defense rated No. 226 and allowing 68.7 PPG. The Zips FG% has averaged 46.5% to date this season, more than the Huskies shooters have managed so far (36.5% per game).

Defensively, Northern Illinois features the nation's No. 290-rated defense on the road, allowing 75.3 points per game. Akron, meanwhile, comes in at No. 22 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Northern Illinois, they were a 62-59 Sportsbook as they battled Miami (Ohio) at home. They covered in the match as an 8.5-point underdog. The Huskies grabbed a 62-59 win over the RedHawks on Wednesday, behind a 17-point effort from Tyler Storm at NIU Convocation Center.

Akron was a 69-66 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against Western Michigan. They failed to cover the 3.5-point spread as favorites. Akron earned a 69-66 victory over Western Michigan on Wednesday, getting 15 points from Alex Abreu at University Arena.


Northern Illinois Huskies Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Western Michigan are 5-5
After playing Miami (Ohio) are 4-6
After a win are 2-8

Akron Zips Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 10-0
Before playing Miami (Ohio) are 6-4
After playing Western Michigan are 7-3
After a win are 8-2

A few Huskies at Zips trends to consider:
Northern Illinois is 1-4-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Akron
Northern Illinois is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Akron
Northern Illinois is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Akron is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Akron's last 5 games when playing Northern Illinois
Akron is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Akron is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Northern Illinois


Next up:
Northern Illinois home to Western Michigan, Wednesday, February 15
Akron home to Miami (Ohio), Wednesday, February 15