Nebraska vs Northwestern Prediction 1/17/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Nebraska vs Northwestern Prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, January 17th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Northwestern Wildcats Preview

Northwestern Wildcats have a 8-9 record this season and are tied in the 17th place of the Big Ten Conference. They have a 6-3 home record and are coming off a 79-68 home loss against Illinois. Their previous three games were a 77-75 away loss against Rutgers, a 76-66 away loss against Michigan State and a 84-78 home loss against Minnesota.

Offensively, Northwestern averages 78.5 points per game, while allowing 71.6 points per game defensively. The Wildcats shoot with 47% from the field and grab 33.4 rebounds per game, while dishing out 18 assists per game. They average 4.1 blocks per game and 5.9 steals per game defensively.

Nick Martinelli leads Northwestern in scoring, with an average of 23.8 points per game, while shooting with 57.3% from the field and 79.8% from the free throw line, and is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.6 per game. Jayden Reid leads the team in assists with 5.5 per game.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Preview

Nebraska Cornhuskers have a 17-0 record this season and are tied in the 1st place of the Big Ten Conference. They have a 3-0 road record and are coming off a 90-55 home win against Oregon. Their previous three games were an 83-77 away win against Indiana, a 72-69 away win against Ohio State and a 58-56 home win against Michigan State.

Offensively, Nebraska averages 81.7 points per game, while allowing 65.8 points per game defensively. The Cornhuskers shoot with 47% from the field and grab 37.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 18.3 assists per game. They average 2.6 blocks per game and 7.1 steals per game defensively.

Pryce Sandfort leads Nebraska in scoring, with an average of 16.4 points per game, while shooting with 47.4% from the field and 80.6% from the free throw line. Rienk Mast is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.4 per game. Sam Hoiberg leads the team in assists with 4 per game.

Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends: January 17, 2026

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

• Northwestern has won eight of its last nine day games at Welsh-Ryan Arena following a home loss.
• Nebraska has lost six of its last seven games at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
• Northwestern has won the first half in 12 of its last 14 games at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers will win

• Nebraska has won each of its last 21 games.
• Northwestern has lost each of its last nine games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Northwestern has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the last six games between Nebraska and Northwestern have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
• Seven of Nebraska’s last eight games at Welsh-Ryan Arena have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.

Nebraska vs Northwestern Prediction

In this Nebraska vs Northwestern Prediction, Nebraska is coming as -5.5 road favorites. Nebraska has been the far better team this season as they one of the just three undefeated teams in the entire nation so far. They are 6-3 against the spread in their last 9 games, while on the other hand, Northwestern has four consecutive losses and is 1-4 against the spread in its last 5 and they are no match against a superior Nebraska squad. I expect the guests to continue to roll into this matchup with a comfortable win, so take Nebraska and lay the points on the road.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Nebraska -5.5