Northern Kentucky vs Milwaukee Prediction 1/9/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Northern Kentucky Norse and the Milwaukee Panthers meet Friday in college basketball action from the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northern Kentucky Norse vs. Milwaukee Panthers prediction.

Northern Kentucky Norse Recap

The Northern Kentucky Norse come into this game looking to add on to their 94-79 win over Youngstown State last time out to sit at 4-2 this season. After this game, Northern Kentucky will head on the road again for a game against Green Bay.

Norse Win 3 In A Row

Dan Gherezgher has 17.1 PPG with 2.9 RPG to lead the Norse in scoring while Donovan Oday has 16.2 PPG with 4 RPG. Kael Robinson has 15.6 PPG with 4.4 RPG and LJ Wells has 13.3 PPG with 8.2 RPG to lead the Norse on the glass and to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Northern Kentucky up to this point in the year. Ethan Elliott has a team-high 4.4 APG while Tae Dozier has 8 PPG and 3.9 RPG as well this season. As a team, Northern Kentucky is averaging 84.4 PPG on 48% shooting from the field, 35% from three and 72.7% from the foul line so far this season.

Milwaukee Panthers Recap

The Milwaukee Panthers come into this game looking to bounce back from a 79-76 loss at the hands of Green Bay last time out to sit at 7-9 this season. After this game, Milwaukee will take on IU Indy at home.

Panthers Drop 3 Straight

Danilo Jovanovich leads Milwaukee in scoring and rebounding with 13.1 PPG and 6.4 RPG along with 2.3 APG while Amar Aguillard has 11.2 PPG with 2.5 RPG as the only other double-digit scorer for Milwaukee so far this season. Josh Dixon has 9.1 PPG while Isaiah Dorceus has added a team-high 4.3 APG to lead the Panthers in assists. Fauzon Fields has 7.4 PPG with 6.1 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Milwaukee is averaging 78.1 PPG on 43.8% shooting from the field, 32.6% from three and 69.1% from the foul line this season.

Northern Kentucky Norse @ Milwaukee Panthers Betting Trends: January 9, 2026

Why the Milwaukee Panthers will win

• Milwaukee has won each of its last nine games at UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena following a road loss.
• Northern Kentucky has lost each of its last three games at UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena.
• Milwaukee has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games at UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena.

Why the Northern Kentucky Norse will win

• Northern Kentucky has won five of its last six night games.
• Milwaukee has lost each of its last three games.
• Northern Kentucky has won the first half in each of its last four road games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Northern Kentucky’s last four road games have produced a total of 156 point.
• Each of Milwaukee’s last four home night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 146 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Milwaukee ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.7).
• Milwaukee ranks 21st among Division 1 teams for turnover percentage this season (12.1%).
• Northern Kentucky ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (9.9).
• Northern Kentucky ranks T21st among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.4).

Northern Kentucky Norse vs. Milwaukee Panthers Prediction

I’m on the Panthers here. I get the case to be made for Northern Kentucky, but Northern Kentucky’s been a lot better at home so far this season and a lot easier to trust. Milwaukee is a decent team that’s just had some bad breaks out of the gate in conference play, and I think this is a spot for Milwaukee to compete here. Give me Milwaukee.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Milwaukee -3.5