Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Western Michigan Broncos: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/31/2023

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: University Arena, Kalamazoo, MI

Where to watch: ESPN+

DraftKings: Western Michigan -5; WMU -200, NIU +170

FanDuel: Western Michigan -4.5; WMU -200, NIU +164

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: Western Michigan -4.5

Northern Illinois: 8-13 (4-4 MAC)

Western Michigan: 6-15 (2-6 MAC)

Northern Illinois: lost 87-69 vs. Ball State

Western Michigan: lost 70-69 at Central Michigan

The Western Michigan Broncos will try to end their four-game losing streak when they returned home after a lengthy road stint to host the Northern Illinois Huskies at University Arena on Tuesday.

This isn't going to be the greatest matchup in the MAC, but it is a good chance for Western Michigan to show that they should be rewarded for their play over the last four games. Western Michigan is coming off a 70-69 loss at Central Michigan on Saturday for their fourth straight defeat, and the third in the stint by single digits. Not to mention, this is the second one point loss of this streak.

Lamar Norman led the way with 27 points but shot 6 of 18 from the field to get there. Five of those makes came from 3 point range and he went 11:50 from the free throw line. Seth Hubbard chipped in with 16 points off the bench on 6 of 10 shooting, but that was really the only consistent offense that Western Michigan could get.

This run of form from Western Michigan has not translated to the spread either. Western Michigan is 1-2-1 against the spread in their last four games, and was actually laying 1.5 points against Central Michigan. The last three games before that have seen Western Michigan getting as many as 9.5 points.

Northern Illinois had its three-game winning streak and on Saturday in an 87-69 loss to Ball State. The drop off against Ball State was highly expected considering how Northern Illinois was coming off a victory against conference favorite Kent State. The Huskies actually shot the ball fairly well. David Coit Led the way with 20 points on six of 12 shooting, and Kaleb Thornton had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists as Northern Illinois shot 47% from the floor.

Northern Illinois had covered with four of its last five before losing to Ball State in which they were 4.5 points underdogs. Northern Illinois has not been a favorite since January 10th when the Huskies won outright 73-54 against Central Michigan and were laying only one point.

The underdog has covered in eight of the last nine meetings and if that trend is to continue, then that favors the road team. Western Michigan has won five of its eight home games this year and has been a run-of-the-mill team against the spread, but the fact that Western Michigan is favored in this game over a team that has two more wins than it does really says a lot about this situation. Western Michigan 70, Northern Illinois 67

Northern Illinois is 20-17 ATS as a road underdog the last 3 seasons.

Northern Illinois is 11-7 ATS off a home loss the last 3 seasons.

Western Michigan is 22-21 ATS against conference opponents the last 3 seasons.

Western Michigan is 2-8 ATS this season after a game they failed to cover.

PG: David Coit

SG: Kaleb Thornton

SF: Zarique Nutter

PF: Anthony Crump

C: Harvin Ibarguen

PG: Lamar Norman Jr.

SG: Jefferson Monegro

SF: Tray Maddox Jr.

PF: Ja'Vaughn Hannah

C: Markeese Hastings

Points: Keshawn Williams -- 17.9

Rebounds: Zarique Nutter -- 5.0

Assists: Kaleb Thornton -- 4.0

Points: Lamar Norman Jr. -- 18.5

Rebounds: Markeese Hastings -- 9.9

Assists: Lamar Norman Jr. -- 2.9