Georgia Tech vs Northwestern Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/15/24

The Northwestern Wildcats are visiting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Sunday, December 15th at the ICCU Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northwestern Wildcats vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Prediction.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Preview

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have a 4-5 record this season and are coming off a 65-68 loss to North Carolina. The Yellow Jackets are 3-6 against the spread, and 3-6 in over/under, while having a 4-3 home record. 

Offensively, Georgia Tech is averaging 76.7 points per game, which ranks 165th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 74 points per game (253rd). The Yellow Jackets shoot 42.5% from the field (285th) and 31.7% from beyond the arc (262nd). The Yellow Jackets shoot 69% from the free-throw line (244th) and are grabbing 39.1 rebounds per game (76th).

Lance Terry leads Georgia Tech in scoring, with an average of 15.4 points and 2.8 rebounds, while Baye Ndongo adds 13.4 points and a team-high 7.9 rebounds. Georgia Tech will meet UMBC, Duke, and Alabama A&M after this game.

Northwestern Wildcats Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats have a 7-3 record this season and are coming off a 70-66 win over Illinois. The Wildcats are 4-6 against the spread, and 4-5-1 in over/under while having a 0-2 road record.

Offensively, Northwestern is averaging 73 points per game, which ranks 240th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 64.6 points per game, which ranks 40th nationally. The Wildcats shoot 44.2% from the field (222nd) and 31.6% from beyond the arc (264th). The Wildcats shoot 72.7% from the free throw line (143rd) and are grabbing 36.9 rebounds per game (172nd).

Nick Martinelli leads Northwestern in scoring this season, with an average of 20.8 points and 6.6 rebounds, while Jalen Leach adds 14.3 points. Northwestern will face DePaul and Northeastern following this one.

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

• Northwestern has won 13 of its last 15 games when playing with a rest advantage.
• Georgia Tech has lost four of its last five day games.
• Georgia Tech has lost the first half in 11 of its last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Why the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will win

• Northwestern has lost four of its last five games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Georgia Tech has won three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Northwestern has lost the first half in four of its last five games played at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Georgia Tech’s last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 143+ points.
• Each of Northwestern’s last four games against the Atlantic Coast Conference has produced a total of 141+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Northwestern ranks T13th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.8).
• Northwestern ranks T18th among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (9.6).
• Georgia Tech ranks 31st among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (64.1).
• Georgia Tech ranks 48th among Division 1 teams for turnover percentage this season (12.9%).

Northwestern Wildcats vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Prediction

Northwestern is 3-2 in their last 5 meetings against Georgia Tech, but are 2-3 against the spread. In this Northwestern Wildcats vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Prediction, Northwestern is coming as -6.5 road favorites. Georgia Tech is better offensively, scoring 3.7 points more than Northwestern, while Northwestern is better defensively, allowing 9.4 points less. Both teams are below average in scoring, with 150.7 points per game combined, and are struggling with their shooting, as they are below average in field goal percentage and in the bottom 100 nationally in 3-point percentage. They have also been involved in low-scoring games this season, as they are 11-7-1 to the under combined. I expect another low-scoring affair, so take the under.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Under 136