Northwestern vs Iowa Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/3/24

The Northwestern Wildcats are visiting the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday, December 3rd at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northwestern Wildcats vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction.

Iowa Hawkeyes Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a 6-1 record this season and are coming off a 110-77 win over USC Upstate. The Hawkeyes are 3-4 against the spread, and 3-4 in over/under while having a 5-0 home record. 

Offensively, Iowa is averaging 87.4 points per game, which is the 10th-best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 70.9 points per game (182nd). The Hawkeyes shoot 49.7% from the field (33rd) and 37.2% from beyond the arc (65th). The Hawkeyes shoot 68.3% from the free-throw line (256th) and are grabbing 36 rebounds per game (215th).

Payton Sandfort leads Iowa in scoring with an average of 15.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Owen Freeman adds 17.5 and a team-high 8.3 rebounds. Iowa will face Michigan following this one.

Northwestern Wildcats Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats have a 6-2 record this season and are coming off a 66-61 win over UNLV. The Wildcats are 2-6 against the spread and 3-4-1 in over/under while having a 0-1 road record.

Offensively, Northwestern is averaging 72.6 points per game, which ranks 246th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 62.5 points per game, which ranks 27th nationally. The Wildcats shoot 44.4% from the field (207th) and 32.6% from beyond the arc (214th). The Wildcats shoot 73.3% from the free throw line (118th) and are grabbing 36.1 rebounds per game (211th).

Nick Martinelli leads Northwestern in scoring this season, with an average of 20.3 points and 6.9 rebounds, while Jalen Leach adds 14.8 points. Northwestern will meet Illinois and Georgia Tech after this game.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

• Northwestern has lost each of its last nine games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
• Iowa has won each of its last nine games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Iowa has won the first half in 16 of its last 17 night games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

• Northwestern has won each of its last four night games.
• Northwestern has won the first half in 13 of its last 14 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Northwestern Wildcats vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction

Iowa is 9-1 in their last 10 meetings against Northwestern and is 7-1 against the spread in their last 8 meetings. In their most recent meeting back in March, Iowa won 87-80 on the road. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings. In this Northwestern Wildcats vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, Iowa is coming as a -5.5 home favorites. Iowa is better offensively, scoring 14.8 points more than Northwestern, while Northwestern is better defensively, allowing 8.4 points less. The Hawkeyes have elite shooting percentages, ranking in the top 70 of the nation both in field goal and in 3-point percentage, while the Wildcats are below average in field goal percentage. Iowa has been undefeated at home this season and expects this trend to continue. Take the Iowa Hawkeyes and lay the points at home.