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The Northwestern Wildcats (20-9, 11-7 Big Ten) will be attempting to build on a three-game home winning streak when squaring off against the Penn State Nittany Lions (17-12, 8-10 Big Ten) on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. It airs at 9:00 PM ET on BTN.
The Wildcats are currently 4.5-point favorites over the Nittany Lions. The game’s over/under is 133.5.
Northwestern vs. Penn State Odds
Point Spread for Northwestern vs. Penn State
The spread for this matchup is set at 4.5 points, with sportsbooks listing Northwestern as the favorite.
Northwestern vs. Penn State Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Northwestern has -197 odds to pick up the win, while Penn State is listed at +165 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 133.5 points.
Game Time and How to Watch
- Game Day: Wednesday, March 1, 2023
- Game Time: 9:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Big Ten Network
- Location: Evanston, Illinois
- Arena: Welsh-Ryan Arena
Northwestern vs. Penn State Betting Trends
Northwestern is 18-11-0 against the spread this year. The Wildcats have come away with 12 wins in the 14 contests they have been listed as the favorites in this season. Northwestern’s games this year have hit the over on 11 of 29 set point totals.
Against the spread, Penn State is 15-13-1 this year. The Nittany Lions have won 27.3% of the games this season they were the underdog on the moneyline (3-8). Penn State’s games this season have gone over the point total 58.6% of the time (17 out of 29 games with a set point total).
Northwestern vs. Penn State Key Players to Watch
Northwestern
Chase Audige is putting up 14.6 points, 2.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds per contest. Ty Berry puts up 8.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest. At the other end, he delivers 1.5 steals and 0.2 blocked shots. Matthew Nicholson leads his squad in rebounds per game (5.6), and also puts up 6.2 points and 1.2 assists. At the other end, he averages 0.6 steals and 1.2 blocked shots.
Penn State
Jalen Pickett paces the Nittany Lions in scoring (18.5 points per game), rebounding (7.3) and assists (6.8), shooting 52.9% from the field and 39.6% from beyond the arc with 1.4 triples per game. He also puts up 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocked shots. The Nittany Lions receive 14.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game from Seth Lundy. Andrew Funk is posting 11.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest, making 43.4% of his shots from the field and 40.3% from 3-point range, with 2.9 treys per game. Camren Wynter gives the Nittany Lions 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2 assists per contest. He also posts 0.4 steals and 0 blocked shots.
What you need to know about the Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern is 12-6-0 ATS in conference action this season. The Wildcats have been lifted by their defense, as they rank 21st-best in college basketball by surrendering only 62.4 points per game. They rank 276th in college basketball in points scored (67.9 per contest). Northwestern is grabbing 31.7 rebounds per game (183rd-ranked in college basketball). It is allowing 31.7 rebounds per contest (224th-ranked).
The Wildcats are putting up 68.4 points per game this year in home games, which is 1.5 fewer points than they’re averaging in road games (69.9). Northwestern is sinking 7.6 three-pointers per game (159th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while sporting a 32% three-point percentage (304th-ranked). The Wildcats are giving up 7.6 three-pointers per game (230th-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing a 33.9% three-point percentage (181st-ranked).
The Wildcats have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games, with a 7-3 record against the spread during that span. Northwestern has gone over the total in three of its last 10 outings. Northwestern’s offense has been less productive over its last 10 games, racking up 65.4 points a contest compared to the 67.9 it has averaged this season. Northwestern has been less stingy on the defensive side of the ball lately, giving up 65.1 points per game over its last 10 contests compared to the 62.4 points per game its opponents are averaging over the 2022-23 season.
What you need to know about the Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State has won nine games against the spread this season in conference play, while failing to cover or pushing nine times. On offense the Nittany Lions are the 154th-ranked squad in the nation (72.8 points per game). On defense they are 130th (68.4 points conceded per game). Penn State is 285th in the country in rebounds per game (29.8) and 289th in rebounds allowed (32.8).
At home, the Nittany Lions score 76.6 points per game. On the road, they score 68.4. Penn State is the fourth-best squad in the nation in 3-pointers made (10.7 per game) and 12th-best in 3-point percentage (38.8%). Defensively, the Nittany Lions are 203rd in the nation in 3-pointers allowed per game at 7.4. They are 208th in 3-point percentage conceded at 34.2%.
The Nittany Lions have gone 4-6 in their past 10 games, with a 4-5-1 record against the spread in that span. Seven of Penn State’s past 10 outings have hit the over. While Penn State is scoring 72.8 points per game in 2022-23, it has fallen short of that in its past 10 games, amassing 69.3 points per contest. The Nittany Lions have played worse defensively over their last 10 games, surrendering 71.1 points per contest, 2.7 more points their than season average of 68.4.
Northwestern vs. Penn State Prediction & Pick
Our pick to win this contest is Northwestern, and we project that Penn State will cover the spread (Northwestern -4.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 133.5 points.
How to bet Northwestern vs. Penn State
You can bet on Northwestern vs. Penn State at every legal online sportsbook. For more college basketball odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals, check out the latest NCAA lines as well as our guide to the best college basketball betting sites.
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