Northern Illinois vs St. Mary's NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/5/2019

Game: Northern Illinois Huskies vs St. Mary's Gaels

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2019

Location: McKeon Pavilion in Moraga, CA

TV: TBA

Odds/Point Spread: St. Mary's -14

Total/Over-Under: 131

The Northern Illinois Huskies travel to McKeon Pavilion to play the St. Mary's Gaels on Thursday, December 5, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has St. Mary's as -14 point favorites.

Northern Illinois comes into this game with an overall record of 6-2. They currently have a point differential of 10.3 as they are averaging 72.0 points per game while giving up 61.8 per contest. St. Mary's has an overall record of 8-1. They are averaging 76.9 points per game and surrendering 61.6, good for a point differential of 15.3.

Valuable Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 2-5-0 against the spread

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 3-3-1 against the over/under

Important St. Mary's Gaels Betting Trends

The St. Mary's Gaels are 3-5-0 against the spread

The St. Mary's Gaels are 5-3-0 against the over/under

Key Northern Illinois Huskies Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key St. Mary's Gaels Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Eugene German comes into this contest averaging 21.4 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 73%. Darius Beane averages 9.2 points per game in 24.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 4.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Ford averages 21.1 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.6 rebounds per game and has 2.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Malik Fitts averages 13.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.3 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Northern Illinois averages 72.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 183rd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 10.3 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 259th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 48th in the nation. They average 41.9 rebounds per game and 11.4 assists per game, which ranks them 24th and 292nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 194th with 13.5 per game. The Huskies allow 61.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 54th in the country. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 27% average from behind the arc, ranking them 51st and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.6 rebounds a game which ranks 82nd and they give up 11.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 135th place in Division 1. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 114th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

St. Mary's is 87th in the country with 76.9 points per game this year. They are 11th in Division 1 in shooting at 51%, while their average scoring margin is 15.3. They shoot 46% from 3-point range, which is good for 1st in the nation. They are 301st in the NCAA in rebounding with 32.7 boards per game, and 158th in assists per contest with 13.8. The Gaels are 345th in turnovers per game with 10.0. The Gaels surrender 61.6 points per contest, which ranks them 49th in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 243rd and 223rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 8.0 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 27.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Gaels are 49th in country in forcing turnovers with 12.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Huskies are 152nd in the nation in offensive rating with 102.7. In terms of pace they are 200th in the country with 70.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 205th. As a team they are 215th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 136th in Division 1. Northern Illinois is 200th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

St. Mary's is 327th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions. The Gaels have an offensive rating of 117.9, which is ranked 5th. They are 343rd in D-1 in pace with 64.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 59% is 5th. As a unit they are 5th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 165th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Northern Illinois/St. Mary's college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take St. Mary's -14

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