| MATCHUP | Minnesota Golden Gophers | Northwestern Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 8-5 | 8-5 |
| Spread | +5.5 -110 | -5.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | +195 | -238 |
| Total | Over 139.5 (-110) | Under 139.5 (-110) |
| Where | Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, IL | |
| When | Saturday, January 3, 2026 | |
| Time | 05:00 PM EST | |
| TV | BTN | |
Northwestern Wildcats Preview
Northwestern Wildcats have an 8-5 record this season and are tied for 15th place in the Big Ten Conference. They have a 6-1 home record and are coming off an 80-60 home win against Howard. Their previous three games were a 61-58 home win against Butler, an 86-70 home win against Valparaiso and a 93-53 home win against Jackson State.
Offensively, Northwestern averages 80.5 points per game, while allowing 69.4 points per game defensively. The Wildcats shoot with 49% from the field and grab 34.8 rebounds per game, while dishing out 18.6 assists per game. They average 3.9 blocks per game and 5.7 steals per game defensively.
Nick Martinelli leads Northwestern in scoring, with an average of 22.8 points per game, while shooting with 58.3% from the field and 77.3% from the free throw line. Andrew Page is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.8 per game, while Jalen Reid adds a team-high 5.3 assists per game.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Preview
Minnesota Golden Gophers have an 8-5 record this season and are in 13th place in the Big Ten Conference. They have a 0-2 away record and are coming off a 60-43 home win against Fairleigh Dickinson. Their previous three games were a 78-50 home win against Campbell, an 89-53 home win against Texas Southern and an 85-57 away loss against Purdue.
Offensively, Minnesota averages 72.7 points per game, while allowing 64.8 points per game defensively. The Golden Gophers shoot with 46% from the field and grab 35.8 rebounds per game, while dishing out 18.2 assists per game. They average 3.2 blocks per game and 7.6 steals per game defensively.
Cam Christie leads Minnesota in scoring, with an average of 21.9 points per game, while shooting with 53.5% from the field and 81.3% from the free throw line. Johnathan Crocker-Johnson is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.5 per game, while Isaac Asuma adds a team-high 4.6 assists per game.
Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends: January 3, 2026
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- Northwestern has won six of its last seven games at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
- Minnesota has lost four of its last five games against Conference opponents.
- Northwestern has won the first half in each of its last 12 games at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win
- Northwestern has lost 11 of its last 12 day games against Conference opponents.
- Minnesota has won four of its last five games.
- Minnesota has won the first half in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of Northwestern’s last 11 games have produced a total of 140+ points.
- Four of Minnesota’s last five day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 136 or fewer points.
Minnesota vs Northwestern Prediction
In this Minnesota vs Northwestern Prediction, Northwestern is coming as -5.5 home favorites. Both teams have identical overall records but Northwestern has been almost perfect at home, while Minnesota has been winless on the road. Both teams are coming into this matchup in good form, as they are 4-1 and 3-1 in their last 5 and 4 games respectively, so I see no value on either side. They have both been playing some lower-scoring games lately, going for a perfect 7-0 to the under in their last 7 games combined, as they both play excellent defense this season. Take the under 137.5 points in this one.