Ohio Bobcats Edge Northern Illinois Huskies 80-77
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Convocation Center (OH)
Ohio Bobcats 80, Northern Illinois Huskies 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Northern Illinois Huskies vs Ohio Bobcats?
Ohio Bobcats beat Northern Illinois Huskies 80-77 at Convocation Center (OH) on January 20, 2026.
Who was favored in Northern Illinois Huskies vs Ohio Bobcats?
Ohio Bobcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -800 (about 89% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested game, the Ohio Bobcats secured a narrow victory over the Northern Illinois Huskies, finishing with a score of 80-77 at the Convocation Center in Ohio. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it continued the Bobcats' dominance over the Huskies, having previously defeated them 108-70 in their only other meeting during the 2025 season.
The Bobcats entered the game with a home record of 11-9 and had shown some promise in recent weeks, boasting a 7-3 record over their last ten games, although they were on a two-game losing streak prior to this matchup. They averaged 81.8 points scored per game while allowing 73.7 points during this stretch. In contrast, the Huskies, with a 6-12 record, had struggled recently, managing only a 3-7 record in their last ten games, though they came into this game with a single victory in their last outing against Massachusetts Minutemen. Their scoring average was 71.4 points, with 78.3 points allowed.
At home, the Bobcats had a solid record of 5-1 in their last six games, while the Huskies had not fared well on the road, suffering all four of their last away games. The Ohio Bobcats were favored heavily in this matchup, with DraftKings setting the spread at -11.5 in their favor, indicating a strong expectation for them to win.
In terms of player performances, the game featured several key moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Aidan Hadaway contributed to the scoring with critical free throws in the second half, while Jackson Paveletzke also made crucial free throws to maintain the Bobcats' lead. Gianni Cobb's layup and Dylan Ducommun's three-pointer for the Huskies highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the game as both teams fought for control.
Injury reports did not indicate any significant absences for either team, allowing both squads to field their key players. The conditions in the Convocation Center were conducive to a competitive atmosphere, with fans supporting the home team.
As the game progressed, the tension mounted, especially in the final moments where each possession became critical. The Bobcats' ability to convert free throws down the stretch proved vital, as they maintained their lead against the Huskies' late-game efforts to close the gap.
Ultimately, Ohio's victory solidified their position as a formidable opponent in the NCAAB landscape, while Northern Illinois continues to seek consistency in their performance as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | OHIO -11.5 | 154.5 o -112 / u -108 | Northern Illinois Huskies +550 · Ohio Bobcats -800 |
Leaders
- PointsJackson Paveletzke23Ohio Bobcats
- AssistsAidan Hadaway6Ohio Bobcats
- ReboundsJJ Kelly9Ohio Bobcats
- PointsDylan Ducommun23Northern Illinois Huskies
- AssistsDaemar Kelly3Northern Illinois Huskies
- ReboundsGianni Cobb6Northern Illinois Huskies
Recent form
Ohio Bobcats
Last 10: 7-3Streak L281.8 scored · 73.7 allowed per game5-1 at home
- L71-76at Ball State CardinalsJan 17
- L85-101at Toledo RocketsJan 14
- W91-80vs Buffalo BullsJan 10
- W86-83vs Massachusetts MinutemenJan 6
- W68-67at Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 3
- W80-64at Central Michigan ChippewasDec 30
- W102-59vs Miami (OH) Hamilton HarriersDec 22
- L58-68vs Bowling Green FalconsDec 20
- W89-56vs Ohio Wesleyan Battling BishopsDec 17
- W88-83vs St. Bonaventure BonniesDec 13
Northern Illinois Huskies
Last 10: 3-7Streak W171.4 scored · 78.3 allowed per game0-4 away
- W70-68vs Massachusetts MinutemenJan 17
- L59-77at Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 13
- L61-75vs Toledo RocketsJan 7
- L73-77at Kent State Golden FlashesJan 3
- L67-81vs Buffalo BullsDec 31
- W74-73vs Central Michigan ChippewasDec 20
- W112-64vs East West PhantomsDec 17
- L79-85at Elon PhoenixDec 13
- L55-84at Bradley BravesDec 7
- L64-99vs Lindenwood LionsDec 3
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Robert Morris | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| Green Bay | 18-15 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Detroit Mercy | 17-15 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Oakland | 16-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 17-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Northern Kentucky | 20-14 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Youngstown State | 15-17 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Milwaukee | 12-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Cleveland State | 11-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| IU Indianapolis | 7-25 | 12 | 3-17 |
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Northern Illinois Huskies | Ohio Bobcats |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-53 | 27-54 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 50 |
| Three-pointers | 9-20 | 8-19 |
| Three-point % | 45 | 42 |
| Free throws | 20-27 | 18-25 |
| Free throw % | 74 | 72 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 28 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 21 |
| Assists | 8 | 12 |
| Steals | 3 | 4 |
| Blocks | 1 | 7 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 2 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 23 |
| Fast-break points | 3 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 30 |
| Fouls | 23 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 11 | 11 |
| Time in front | 15 | 78 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half44-48Taj Walters makes 25-foot three point jumper (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half44-50JJ Kelly makes layup (Aidan Hadaway assists)
- 2nd Half47-50Gianni Cobb makes 24-foot three point jumper (Taj Walters assists)
- 2nd Half47-51Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-52Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-52Makhai Valentine makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half49-52Makhai Valentine makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half49-55Dior Conners makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jackson Paveletzke assists)
- 2nd Half52-55Dylan Ducommun makes 23-foot three point jumper (Daemar Kelly assists)
- 2nd Half52-57Aidan Hadaway makes layup
- 2nd Half52-58Aidan Hadaway makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-61Dior Conners makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half52-63Jackson Paveletzke makes 17-foot jumper
- 2nd Half53-63Hassan Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-66Dior Conners makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half53-67Jalen Breath makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-69Jackson Paveletzke makes layup
- 2nd Half56-69Daemar Kelly makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dylan Ducommun assists)
- 2nd Half59-69Makhai Valentine makes 25-foot three point jumper (Daemar Kelly assists)
- 2nd Half59-71Jalen Breath makes layup (Aidan Hadaway assists)
- 2nd Half60-71Gianni Cobb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-71Gianni Cobb makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-71Dylan Ducommun makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-71Dylan Ducommun makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-71Dylan Ducommun makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-73Jackson Paveletzke makes layup
- 2nd Half64-75Jackson Paveletzke makes layup
- 2nd Half66-75Hassan Washington makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half67-75Gianni Cobb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-75Gianni Cobb makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-75Gianni Cobb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-75Gianni Cobb makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-76Aidan Hadaway makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-77Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-77Gianni Cobb makes layup
- 2nd Half75-77Dylan Ducommun makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half75-78Dior Conners makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-79Dior Conners makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-79Taj Walters makes 17-foot jumper
- 2nd Half77-80Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Ohio Bobcats, below favours Northern Illinois Huskies.
Venue
- Convocation Center (OH)Athens, OH
- Attendance2867
- OfficialsSteve McJunkins, Tim Stewart, Blanca Burns
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond