Northern Illinois vs Eastern Michigan 1/15/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Northern Illinois Huskies meet in college basketball action from the NIU Convocation Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles will look to build on a 99-68 win over Central Michigan last time out. Noah Farrakhan leads the Eagles in scoring with 16.6 PPG along with 3.8 RPG and 2.2 APG while Monty Scott has 13.9 PPG with a team-high 2.7 APG to lead the Eagles in assists and Bryce McBride has 12.5 PPG to make up the trio of double-digit scorers for Eastern Michigan so far this season. Colin Golson Jr. has 9.2 PPG with 5.2 RPG and Nate Scott has a team-high 565 RPG to lead the Eagles on the glass this season. As a team, Eastern Michigan is averaging 74.9 PPG on 44.2% shooting from the field, 31.6% from three and 70.3% from the foul line while allowing 77 PPG on 42.8% shooting from the field and 32.1% from three this season.

The Northern Illinois Huskies will try to build on their 65-63 win over Kent State in their last game. Keshawn Williams leads NIU in scoring with 12.9 PPG while Trendon Hankerson has 10.4 PPG with 3.8 RPG as the only other double-digit scorer for the Huskies so far this season. Kaleb Thornton has 5.8 PPG and 3 APG while Anthony Crump’s got 4.7 RPG as well this season. As a team, Northern Illinois is averaging 57.9 points per game on 38.2% from the field, 33% from three and 64% from the foul line while allowing 68.9 PPG on 42.9% shooting from the floor and 29.3% from three this season.

Eastern Michigan is 1-11 ATS in their last 12 road games against a team with a winning home record and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite while the over is 6-1 in their last 7 road games against a team with a home winning percentage above .600. Northern Illinois is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a win and 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 home games while the under is 9-2 in their last 11 games as a home underdog.

I get why Eastern Michigan would be favored here, as the Eagles have been the better team for much of the season. However, the Eagles have also struggled on the road and say what you want about NIU, the Huskies usually play their best at home and this is just their second home game since Mid November. I think getting back home will give the Huskies a lift after their big win over Kent State and power the Huskies to a win and cover at home here.