| MATCHUP | Northwestern Wildcats | Butler Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 7-4 | 8-3 |
| Spread | +1.5 -112 | -1.5 -108 |
| Moneyline | +102 | -122 |
| Total | Over 158.5 (-112) | Under 158.5 (-108) |
| Where | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | |
| When | Saturday, December 20, 2025 | |
| Time | 04:00 PM EST | |
| TV | Peacock | |
Butler Bulldogs Preview
Butler Bulldogs have a 8-3 record this season and are sitting on the 5th place of the Big East. They are coming off a 60-79 away loss against UConn and their previous three games were a 113-110 home win against Providence, a 68-77 home loss against Boise State and a 84-68 home win against Eastern Michigan.
Offensively, Butler averages 87.4 points per game, while allowing 76.3 points per game defensively. The Bulldogs shoot with 48% from the field and grab 42.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 16.9 assists per game. They average 4.3 blocks per game and 7.5 steals per game defensively.
Finley Bizjack leads Butler in scoring, with an average of 17.7 points per game, while shooting with 46.1% from the field and 80% from the free throw line. Michael Ajayi is the team’s leading rebounder with 11.5 per game and adds a team-high 3.1 assists per game.
Northwestern Wildcats Preview
Northwestern Wildcats have a 7-4 record this season and are sitting on the 15th place of the Big Ten. They are coming off a 86-70 home win against Valparaiso and their previous three games were a 93-53 home win against Jackson State, a 82-86 home loss against Ohio State and a 73-85 away loss against Wisconsin.
Offensively, Northwestern averages 82.6 points per game, while allowing 71 points per game defensively. The Wildcats shoot with 50% from the field and grab 34.6 rebounds per game, while dishing out 18.5 assists per game. They average 3.7 blocks per game and 5.8 steals per game defensively.
Nick Martinelli leads Northwestern in scoring, with an average of 21.9 points per game, while shooting with 59.4% from the field and 77% from the free throw line. Arrinten Page is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.1 per game, while Jayden Reid adds a team-high 5.5 assists per game.
Northwestern Wildcats @ Butler Bulldogs Betting Trends: December 20, 2025
Why the Butler Bulldogs will win
- Butler has won five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Northwestern has lost each of its last three games against the Big East Conference at neutral venues.
- Northwestern has lost the first half in each of its last three games against the Big East Conference at neutral venues.
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- Northwestern has won each of its last 10 Saturday day games against non-Conference opponents.
- Butler has lost five of its last six games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- Northwestern has won the first half in 10 of its last 11 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Northwestern vs Butler Prediction
In this Northwestern vs Butler Prediction, Butler is coming as -1.5 favorites. Both teams have almost identical overall records this season, but Butler has been struggling lately, as they are 1-2 in their last 3 games and 0-4 against the spread in their last 4. On the flip side, Northwestern is coming off back-to-back wins where they also covered the spread and they have a better defense than Butler this season, allowing 5.3 points per game less and have a +11.6 point differential, so I expect them to keep this one close. Take Northwestern and get the +1.5 point in this one.