In a surprising year in the Big Ten, No. 21 Northwestern has found its way up near the top.
The Wildcats are not quite challenging Purdue record wise, but they did beat the Boilermakers this season.
At 20-7 (11-5) they’re second in the conference and have a bit of clearance from the large pack of teams behind them. A pack that includes the Illinois Fighting Illini who are 18-9 (9-7).
Northwestern has won five straight in Big Ten play including three ranked wins. Last time out it took down Iowa, 80-60 at home. Now, the Wildcats are on the road in Illinois where Brad Underwood’s Illini just beat Minnesota.
Despite the Wildcats winning streak, the Illini are favorites in this one.
Northwestern vs. Illinois odds, spread and total
Northwestern vs. Illinois prediction and pick
Northwestern is certainly a defense-first team, so its 80-point performance against Iowa was surprising, but not as surprising when you factor in Iowa’s struggles on the defensive end of the floor.
I don’t think Boo Buie and Northwestern have figured out their offense that much. They are 171st in offensive efficiency at 1.011, but in their most recent three games they have been more efficient than that.
Against Iowa they shot 50% from 3 and 49.1% from the field, I don’t expect that type of performance to stay and shooting regression could hurt the Wildcats.
Illinois hasn’t quite realized the full potential of its talent on the offensive end of the floor. With Terrence Shannon Jr. Matthew Mayer and Coleman Hawkins, it should be better than 91st in efficiency.
Illinois does play at a much faster pace than Northwestern, and I think it’ll be able to get out and run in this game. Obviously that didn’t work for Iowa, but everything went in for Northwestern in that game and that won’t happen again.
Northwestern’s hot streak is going to come to an end tonight.
Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE
—
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change
