Who's Playing

Northern Illinois @ Ball State

Current Records: Northern Illinois 6-16; Ball State 11-13

What to Know

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 3-10 against the Ball State Cardinals since February of 2016, but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit Tuesday. NIU and Ball State will face off in a Mid-American battle at 7 p.m. ET at John E. Worthen Arena. Given that both teams suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this game.

The Huskies suffered a grim 100-72 defeat to the Toledo Rockets this past Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals were within striking distance but couldn't close the gap this past Saturday as they fell 80-74 to the Buffalo Bulls.

NIU is expected to lose this next one by 8.5. Those playing the odds have seen things go back and forth with NIU, who are 11-10 against the spread.

The losses put NIU at 6-16 and Ball State at 11-13. A pair of stats to keep an eye on: The Huskies are 22nd worst in college basketball in points per game, with only 63.9 on average. The Cardinals have experienced some struggles of their own as they are stumbling into the contest with the seventh most points allowed per game in college basketball, having given up 77.4 on average. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.

How To Watch

  • When: Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET
  • Where: John E. Worthen Arena -- Muncie, Indiana
  • Follow: CBS Sports App
  • Ticket Cost: $15.00

Odds

The Cardinals are a big 8.5-point favorite against the Huskies, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as an 8.5-point spread, and stayed right there.

Over/Under: -109

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Series History

Ball State have won ten out of their last 13 games against Northern Illinois.

  • Jan 27, 2022 - Ball State 74 vs. Northern Illinois 67
  • Jan 16, 2021 - Ball State 78 vs. Northern Illinois 58
  • Dec 08, 2020 - Ball State 79 vs. Northern Illinois 70
  • Mar 06, 2020 - Ball State 75 vs. Northern Illinois 54
  • Feb 11, 2020 - Ball State 63 vs. Northern Illinois 59
  • Mar 08, 2019 - Northern Illinois 64 vs. Ball State 57
  • Feb 05, 2019 - Ball State 72 vs. Northern Illinois 71
  • Mar 02, 2018 - Northern Illinois 66 vs. Ball State 65
  • Feb 20, 2018 - Ball State 77 vs. Northern Illinois 68
  • Mar 03, 2017 - Ball State 87 vs. Northern Illinois 82
  • Feb 14, 2017 - Ball State 81 vs. Northern Illinois 72
  • Mar 04, 2016 - Northern Illinois 80 vs. Ball State 69
  • Feb 19, 2016 - Ball State 63 vs. Northern Illinois 59