Northern Illinois hosts Akron following Ali's 21-point game

Akron Zips (15-6, 8-3 MAC) at Northern Illinois Huskies (6-14, 3-7 MAC)

DeKalb, Illinois; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST

LINE: Northern Illinois -8; over/under is 128.5

BOTTOM LINE: Akron visits the Northern Illinois Huskies after Ali Ali scored 21 points in Akron's 71-59 victory against the Miami (OH) RedHawks.

The Huskies have gone 2-3 in home games. Northern Illinois is 3-8 in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Zips are 8-3 against MAC opponents. Akron ranks fifth in the MAC shooting 35.0% from 3-point range.

The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting this season between the two teams in conference play.

TOP PERFORMERS: Trendon Hankerson averages 2.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Huskies, scoring 11.0 points while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc. Keshawn Williams is shooting 50.9% and averaging 18.2 points over the past 10 games for Northern Illinois.

Ali is scoring 14.1 points per game with 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Zips. Xavier Castaneda is averaging 11.7 points over the last 10 games for Akron.

LAST 10 GAMES: Huskies: 3-7, averaging 70.2 points, 29.5 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 6.3 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.4 points per game.

Zips: 7-3, averaging 68.6 points, 30.8 rebounds, 11.7 assists, 4.9 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.7 points.

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