Northern Illinois vs Pittsburgh NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/16/2019

Game: Northern Illinois Huskies vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Date: Monday, December 16, 2019

Location: Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ACCN

Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh -11

Total/Over-Under: 119.5

The Northern Illinois Huskies travel to Petersen Events Center to play the Pittsburgh Panthers on Monday, December 16, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh as 11 point favorites.

Northern Illinois heads into this matchup with a mark of 6-4. They currently have a point differential of 6.1 as they are averaging 68.2 points per contest while giving up 62.1 per game. Pittsburgh has an overall record of 7-3. They are averaging 63.8 points per game and surrendering 59.4, good for a point differential of 4.4.

Valuable Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 3-6-0 against the spread

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 3-5-1 against the over/under

Important Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 6-4-0 against the spread

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 4-6-0 against the over/under

Key Northern Illinois Huskies Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

12/02/19 G Gerald Drumgoole Jr. Foot is out indefinitely
11/05/19 F Kene Chukwuka Hip is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Eugene German comes into this contest averaging 20.3 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 73%. Lacey James averages 8.1 points per game in 25.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.5 assists per contest and 7.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 37% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%.

Player Spotlight

Xavier Johnson averages 12.0 points per game while playing 32.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and has 4.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 63%. Trey McGowens averages 11.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

Northern Illinois averages 68.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 262nd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 6.1 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a team, which has them ranked 298th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 105th in the nation. They average 39.8 rebounds per game and 10.3 assists per game, which ranks them 55th and 324th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 190th with 13.4 per game. The Huskies allow 62.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 44th in the country. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 78th and 30th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.5 rebounds a game which ranks 77th and they give up 11.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 103rd place in Division 1. They force 12.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 74th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Pittsburgh is 315th in the country with 63.8 points per game this year. They are 275th in Division 1 in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin is 4.4. They shoot 26% from 3-point range, which is good for 341st in the nation. They are 176th in the NCAA in rebounding with 36.4 boards per game, and 273rd in assists per contest with 11.8. The Panthers are 206th in turnovers per game with 13.2. The Panthers surrender 59.4 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in D-1. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 76th and 254th in those defensive statistics. They rank 144th with 11.9 assists allowed per contest and 164th with 35.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Panthers are 230th in country in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Huskies are 209th in the nation in offensive rating with 100. In terms of pace they are 268th in the country with 68.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 265th. As a team they are 268th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 116th in Division 1. Northern Illinois is 183rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Pittsburgh is 147th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.1 times per 100 possessions. The Panthers are 239th in the country in offensive rating with 98.6. In terms of pace they are 336th in Division 1 with 64.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 46% is 312th. As a team they are 300th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 282nd in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh -11

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