The set-up: NIU comes in as the more desperate team after starting 1-7. The Huskies have moved on from their former head coach Mark Montgomery and I expect the unit to respond here under Lamar Chapman.

The pick: Ohio broke a three-game slide with a 78-68 win over Ball State in its last outing, but with back-to-back games at league-leading Toledo up next, I think the Bobcats get caught looking ahead and take the foot off the gas in the second half. No outright, but closer than expected. Grab the points.

This is an 8* play on Northern Illinois.