Northern Illinois vs Tulsa Predictions, Picks and Odds | November 5, 2026
Northern Illinois has a new conference, a new coach, and an entirely new roster, and so far the results have been rough. The Huskies opened their Horizon League era by allowing Grambling to shoot 64% in an 89-87 upset loss. Now they face a Tulsa program that averaged 85.1 points per game last season, came within an overtime period of winning the NIT, and just hung 98 points on Ottawa behind a high-profile transfer class.
With the Golden Hurricane laying 14.5 points, this Northern Illinois vs Tulsa matchup looks like a mismatch between a polished contender and a work in progress. Before you lock in your free college basketball predictions, here is the full breakdown of the odds, line movement, matchups, and best bets.
Northern Illinois vs Tulsa Quick Picks and Prediction
- Spread Pick: Tulsa -14.5 (-102)
- Total Pick: Over 154.5 (-105)
- Projected Final Score: Tulsa 88, Northern Illinois 70
Odds and Line Movement for Northern Illinois vs Tulsa
Tulsa opened as a 15.5-point favorite, briefly touched -16.5, and has since dropped to -14.5, even with the Golden Hurricane drawing between 99% and 100% of the money. That dip gives bettors a cheaper number on the favorite. The total has climbed two points from 152.5 to 154.5 after bouncing between 152.5 and 153.5 several times. Track every move with our live odds.
Opening Odds
| Team | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois | +15.5 (-112) | Over 152.5 (-115) |
| Tulsa | -15.5 (-108) | Under 152.5 (-105) |
Current Odds
| Team | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois | +14.5 (-118) | Over 154.5 (-105) |
| Tulsa | -14.5 (-102) | Under 154.5 (-115) |
Line Movement – Spread
| Date | Northern Illinois | Tulsa | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/05 | +14.5 (-118) | -14.5 (-102) | TLSA 99%, TLSA 80% |
| 11/04 | +14.5 (-112) | -14.5 (-108) | TLSA 99%, TLSA 80% |
| 11/04 | +14.5 (-105) | -14.5 (-115) | TLSA 99%, TLSA 80% |
| 11/04 | +15.5 (-118) | -15.5 (-102) | TLSA 99%, TLSA 80% |
| 11/04 | +15.5 (-105) | -15.5 (-115) | TLSA 99%, TLSA 80% |
| 11/04 | +16.5 (-118) | -16.5 (-102) | TLSA 100% |
| 11/04 | +15.5 (-105) | -15.5 (-115) | TLSA 100% |
| 11/04 | +15.5 (-115) | -15.5 (-105) | TLSA 100% |
| 11/04 | +15.5 (-112) | -15.5 (-108) | — |
Line Movement – Total
| Date | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| 11/05 | 154.5 (-105) | 154.5 (-115) |
| 11/05 | 153.5 (-112) | 153.5 (-108) |
| 11/04 | 153.5 (-105) | 153.5 (-115) |
| 11/04 | 152.5 (-115) | 152.5 (-105) |
| 11/04 | 153.5 (-105) | 153.5 (-115) |
| 11/04 | 152.5 (-115) | 152.5 (-105) |
| 11/04 | 153.5 (-105) | 153.5 (-115) |
| 11/04 | 153.5 (-110) | 153.5 (-110) |
| 11/04 | 153.5 (-105) | 153.5 (-115) |
| 11/04 | 152.5 (-115) | 152.5 (-105) |
Key Matchups and Handicap: Northern Illinois vs Tulsa
This matchup features one program in the early stages of a complete rebuild and another that has reloaded quickly after a 30-win season. Northern Illinois is learning a new system under a new coach, while Tulsa has a proven offensive formula and a transfer class that regional sources are raving about. The gap in cohesion is the core of this handicap.
Northern Illinois Starts Over in the Horizon League
Northern Illinois has moved to the Horizon League for all sports except football, which now calls the Mountain West home, after leaving its long association with the MAC in the spring. The Huskies slipped out of the MAC with little fanfare after a nondescript 4-14 league record last season, which prompted a coaching change.
New head coach Matt Majkrzak arrives from Northern Michigan, where his Wildcats were a steady Division II NCAA Tournament qualifier. Not surprisingly, he has cleared the decks, assembling a brand-new roster that he hopes can replicate the efficiency of his Northern Michigan teams.
NIU Defense Exposed by Grambling
The opener did not go well. Grambling scored an 89-87 upset while shooting a blistering 64% from the field. That result should alert Majkrzak that he needs to focus on coaching defense rather than his intricate offensive schemes, especially with an explosive Tulsa team up next. The Huskies are expected to remain a work in progress until after New Year’s.
Tulsa Reloads After a 30-Win Season
Tulsa was one of the nation’s highest-scoring teams last season at 85.1 points per game, reaching the NIT final and losing in a desperately unlucky overtime defeat to Auburn. With the bulk of that 30-win team departing, head coach Eric Konkol relied on a recipe that appeals to transfers. His high-profile group of portal additions got a test run in a 98-50 opening-night rout of lower-tier Ottawa.
Tulsa Backcourt and Kobi Williams Shine
The two returning backcourt players, Jaylen Lawal and Myles Rigsby, combined for 24 points in the opener. Missouri State transfer Kobi Williams, a dagger-throwing shooter who hit 37.2% from three last season, reminded everyone of his accuracy by making four of seven three-point attempts. Regional sources do not expect Tulsa to slip far, if at all, from last season’s level.
Golden Hurricane Built to Score
The Golden Hurricane’s offensive identity has carried over despite the roster turnover. Against a Northern Illinois defense that just allowed 89 points and 64% shooting, Tulsa’s shooters and transfer-heavy attack should find plenty of open looks.
NIU vs TLSA Betting Trends
- Northern Illinois went 4-14 in MAC play last season.
- Northern Illinois lost its opener 89-87 to Grambling, which shot 64% from the field.
- Tulsa averaged 85.1 points per game last season and reached the NIT final.
- Tulsa won 30 games last season.
- Tulsa opened this season with a 98-50 win over Ottawa.
- The spread has dropped from Tulsa -15.5 to -14.5, despite 99% to 100% of the money on the Golden Hurricane.
- The total has climbed from 152.5 to 154.5.
NIU vs TLSA Key Injuries and Notes
- Northern Illinois: First-year head coach Matt Majkrzak is working with an entirely new roster.
- Northern Illinois: Now competing in the Horizon League after leaving the MAC.
- Tulsa: Returning guards Jaylen Lawal and Myles Rigsby combined for 24 points in the opener.
- Tulsa: Missouri State transfer Kobi Williams made four of seven three-pointers in the opener.
- Tulsa: Head coach Eric Konkol rebuilt the roster largely through the transfer portal.
Northern Illinois vs Tulsa ATS and Total Picks
ATS Pick: Tulsa -14.5 (-102). Tulsa has a proven offensive system, experienced returning guards, and a transfer class that looked sharp in its opener. Northern Illinois is starting from scratch and just gave up 64% shooting to Grambling. The line has dropped a point from the opener despite one-sided money on Tulsa, making this a reasonable price against a Huskies team that will need time to come together.
Total Pick: Over 154.5 (-105). Tulsa averaged over 85 points per game last season and just scored 98 in its opener. Northern Illinois has shown defensive vulnerabilities and was involved in a 176-point game in its opener. Expect Tulsa to do most of the scoring and push this game past the number.
Northern Illinois vs Tulsa Best Bets
- Best Bet: Tulsa -14.5 (-102)
- Total Pick: Over 154.5 (-105)
- Key Factor: Tulsa’s high-powered offense against a Northern Illinois defense that allowed 64% shooting in its opener
- X-Factor: Kobi Williams’ three-point shooting
Final Score Prediction for Northern Illinois vs Tulsa
Tulsa has the shooters, the system, and the experience to exploit a Northern Illinois team still learning how to defend together. Expect the Golden Hurricane to pull away for a comfortable cover in a high-scoring game that clears the total.
- Final Score Prediction: Tulsa 88, Northern Illinois 70
- Spread Pick: Tulsa -14.5 (-102)
- Total Pick: Over 154.5 (-105)
