This is an opportunity for Northern Illinois to do well here. They face a Western Michigan team here who they lost to at home by a bucket earlier this year but has gone 7-9 in conference play after starting the year 1-5 overall. For a team to show they have not quit on the season and looking to get .500 overall in conference play heading into the conference tournament is fairly significant. This team comes off a 4 point loss on the road to Eastern Michigan who is a top 125 team which is fairly significant and for them to now face Western Michigan after already beating better teams like Toledo at home who is top 125, or defeating Eastern Michigan at home who is top 125, this is a team that is certainly capable of seeking revenge and picking up the win and cover on the road. Northern Illinois is a top 60 defensive team if you take a closer look at them, top 40 in offensive rebounds and if Western Michigan found it difficult to beat a top 250 Miami of Ohio team by 11 at home or top 300 Ball State by 9 at home, they are going to have their hands full with a team playing at the realm of a top 150 team seeking revenge and is sound defensively and on the boards. Look for a tight game throughout.