Akron vs. Northern Illinois Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets

The Akron Zips (14-5, 7-0 MAC) will look to build on a seven-game win streak when they visit the Northern Illinois Huskies (5-14, 1-6 MAC) on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at NIU Convocation Center as heavy, 16-point favorites. The matchup airs at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The over/under for the matchup is 154.

Akron vs. Northern Illinois Odds

Akron odds to win: -1099 Northern Illinois odds to win: +700 Spread: Akron (-16) Total: 154

Akron vs. Northern Illinois Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM ET TV: ESPN+ Where: DeKalb, Illinois Venue: NIU Convocation Center

Who Will Win Akron vs. Northern Illinois?

Akron and Northern Illinois Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

When it has played as at least a 16-point underdog this year, Northern Illinois is 1-3 against the spread.

The Zips and Huskies average 1.0 more points between them than the over/under of 154 for this matchup.

Opponents of the two teams average a combined 5.2 fewer points per game (148.8) than this matchup’s over/under of 154 points.

The average total in Akron’s games this year is 3.4 more points than the over/under of 154 in this game.

Huskies games this season have averaged an over/under of 146.4 points, 7.6 fewer than the point total in this matchup.

The Zips have a 10-7-0 record against the spread this season.

So far this year, the Huskies have put together a 7-9-0 record against the spread.

Akron Stats & Insights

Akron outscores opponents by 11.0 points per game (scoring 84.2 per game to rank 15th in college basketball while allowing 73.2 per outing to rank 234th in college basketball) and has a +210 scoring differential overall.

Akron wins the rebound battle by 4.3 boards on average. It collects 36.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 23rd in college basketball, while its opponents pull down 32.3 per outing.

The Zips knock down 4.1 more threes per game than the opposition, 11.6 (third-most in college basketball) compared to their opponents’ 7.5.

Akron ranks 83rd in college basketball with 100.3 points scored per 100 possessions, and 67th in college basketball defensively with 87.2 points conceded per 100 possessions.

At home, the Zips are averaging 10.2 more points per game (90.9) than they are when playing on the road (80.7).

Northern Illinois Stats & Insights

Northern Illinois is being outscored by 4.8 points per game, with a -92 scoring differential overall. It puts up 70.8 points per game (268th in college basketball), and gives up 75.6 per contest (287th in college basketball).

Northern Illinois ranks 330th in the nation at 29.1 rebounds per game. That’s 7.7 fewer than the 36.8 its opponents average.

Northern Illinois connects on 9.3 three-pointers per game (53rd in college basketball), 1.2 more than its opponents. It shoots 33.5% from deep (202nd in college basketball), and its opponents are shooting 36.8%.

Northern Illinois ranks 309th in college basketball with 89.6 points scored per 100 possessions, and 278th defensively with 95.8 points conceded per 100 possessions.

In 2024-25 the Huskies are scoring 13.1 more points per game at home (77.7) than away (64.6).

Akron Key Players to Watch

The scoring leader for the Zips this season is Nate Johnson, who averages 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

James Okonkwo is Akron’s leading rebounder, pulling down 7.7 per game, while Tavari Johnson is its best passer, distributing 4.2 assists in each contest.

Bowen Hardman makes more threes per game than any other member of the Zips, knocking down shots from beyond the arc at a clip of 2.0 per contest.

Nate Johnson and Okonkwo lead Akron on the defensive end, with Nate Johnson leading the team in steals averaging 1.9 per game and Okonkwo in blocks averaging 1.1 per contest.

Northern Illinois Key Players to Watch

Quentin Jones racks up 15.7 points and tacks on 3.5 assists per game, and is at the top of the Huskies’ leaderboards for those statistics.

James Dent Jr. is at the top of the Northern Illinois rebounding leaderboard with 5.3 rebounds per game. Dent also notches 13.0 points and adds 2.8 assists per game.

Dent is consistent from three-point range and leads the Huskies with 2.3 made threes per game.

Jones’ steals (1.2 steals per game) and blocks (1.0 block per game) pace Northern Illinois on defense.