Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Buffalo Bulls Spead Bet | March 8th

Northern Illinois Huskies (10-20 SU, 9-19 ATS) vs. Buffalo Bulls (4-26 SU, 12-17 ATS)

When: Friday, March 8th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Alumni Arena, NY, Buffalo

TV: ESPN+

Point Spread: NILL +1/BUF -1

Total: 150.5

Money Line: Northern Illinois Huskies -110/-110

Notable Injuries

Huskies

• Zarique Nutter (Out) Undisclosed

Bulls

Recent Form

After losing to Central Michigan by a score of 69-63, Northern Illinois comes into this game with a record of 10-20. Over their last ten road games, the Huskies have gone just 2-8.

On the season, Northern Illinois has been an underdog in 23 of their 30 games, going 5-18 in those matchups. So far, their average scoring differential on the road is -9.5 points per game.

Today’s over/under line of 150.5 is exactly in line with the average over/under line in Northern Illinois games this season. So far, 14 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 143 points.

As the underdog, Northern Illinois has gone just 7-16 vs. the spread this season, but they have fared better over their last three games as the underdog, going 2-1. On the road, the Huskies have an ATS record of 6-9 this year and are 3-7 in their last 10 road games vs. the spread.

Buffalo has struggled mightily at home this season, going just 1-14 in their 15 games. They are coming off a 78-66 loss to Ohio and have gone just 1-4 in their last five games. On the year, the Bulls are 4-26, including a 2-15 record in Mid-American Conference play.

For the season, Buffalo has been the underdog in 24 of their 30 games, going 2-22 in those contests. As the favorite, they are just 1-4. Their average scoring margin at home this year is -14.8, and they have lost two straight games at home.

Buffalo has an over/under record of 12-16-1 this season, and the average scoring total in their games is 146.9 points. Today’s over/under line of 150.5 is higher than the average OU line in their games (147.4). In their last three games, the average scoring total is 148 points, and their over/under record during this stretch is 1-2.

Buffalo has struggled against the spread this season, posting a 12-17 record. At home, the Bulls are just 3-12 vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, Buffalo is 4-6 vs. the spread.

Analysis

Most recently, the Northern Illinois offense finished with just 63 points vs. Central Michigan. For the game, they hit 5/22 three-point attempts and a field goal percentage of 39.7%. The team’s top scorer is David Coit, who comes into today’s matchup with an average of 20.2, while Xavier Amos also maintains a PPG average of 13.8 leading up to the game.

Currently, the Huskies’ defense holds the 306th rank in the nation, allowing 77.7 points per game. Against Central Michigan in their most recent game, the Northern Illinois defense gave up a total of 69 points while allowing Central Michigan to hit 39% of their shots.

The Buffalo offense, in their latest game, managed to score just 66 points versus Ohio. During the game, they attempted 19 three-point shots and had a field goal percentage of 44%. Offensively, the Bulls have a season-long field goal percentage of 42%, which is 327th in the nation. In terms of three-pointers, they are 399th in percentage and 270th in three-pointers made.

At present, the Bulls’ defense is nationally ranked 326th, allowing 79.8 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, Buffalo’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 46.2% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 34.9% this season.

Betting Trends

• Across the Huskies’ last ten road games, the team averaged 70 points per game while allowing 81. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 3-7, while going 2-8 straight-up.
• Across the Bulls last ten home games, the team averaged 69 points per game while allowing 79. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 5-5, while going 2-8 straight-up.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Huskies have a straight-up record of 2-8 and an ATS mark of 3-7.
• As the betting favorite, the Bulls have an ATS mark of just 1-2 in their last three games. Buffalo posted a straight-up mark of 1-2 in these matchups.

Rich Crew’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The Bulls had won five straight in this series before losing on the road 72-68 to the Huskies in this season’s only match on February 17th. NIU has won only one game since then to go with five defeats, somehow going into Toledo and coming away with a three-point win as a +16 favorite. Buffalo has won two MAC games this campaign with only one of the wins coming at the Alumni Arena where they are 2-12 overall. The other win came against non-Div 1 opponent Roberts Wesleyan in an unlined game. That’s not the best resume coming into this game. That said, I like Buffalo in this match. Their play has been on the upswing, and they continue to be undervalued with six spread wins in their past eight games. Additionally, they catch Northern Illinois without one of their top Guards Zarique Nutter who contributed 17 points and 12 boards in the previous match.