The Northern Illinois Huskies (4-9) and Akron Zips (8-5) meet Tuesday. Tip at James A. Rhodes Arena is at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Northern Illinois vs. Akron odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
This game marks the MAC opener for both schools.
Northern Illinois returns to action after an 11-day layoff. The Huskies last played on Dec. 22, when they won 67-57 as 17.5-point underdogs at Indiana State. NIU had yielded 86.3 points per game in losing 4 straight before that road win.
The Zips had a Dec. 30 tune-up triumph (84-58) over NCAA-II Concord. Akron is 5-1 straight up and 2-2 against the spread over its last 6 games. Over the last 2 seasons, UA is 15-3 on its home floor.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Northern Illinois at Akron odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:34 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Northern Illinois +825 (bet $100 to win $825) | Akron -1900 (bet $1,900 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northern Illinois +14.5 (-105) | Akron -14.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Northern Illinois at Akron picks and predictions
Prediction
Akron 73, Northern Illinois 57
Moneyline
PASS. I have no interest in either side here.
Against the spread
Akron is on a nice roll and is a solid play to take this game by 13-18 points. There just isn’t any value of a line higher than -13.5. PASS.
Over/Under
The Under is 7-4 across 11 lined UA games. In recent games against fast teams, which NIU is, the Under has gone 2-1 (games against Wright State, Jackson State and Marshall).
The Huskies coming off a holiday layoff, with no major pressure in score-spiral areas like transition and 2nd-chance points, and Akron coming off a very slow game add to the fuel for an Under wager.
BACK THE UNDER 133.5 (-105).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]