| MATCHUP | Washington Huskies | Northwestern Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 11-10 | 10-11 |
| Where | Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, IL | |
| When | Saturday, January 31, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | BTN | |
The Washington Huskies and the Northwestern Wildcats meet Saturday in college basketball action from Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston. Here’s a Washington vs Northwestern prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Washington vs Northwestern pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Washington Huskies Betting Preview
The Huskies managed to go 5-3 over their first eight games this year, taking losses to Baylor, Colorado and UCLA in that time. Washington would then hit a 4-1 run with a lone loss to Seattle U, then a 2-5 stretch that featured losses to Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska. In the first 20 games of the year the Huskies mustered an 11-9 overall record.
On Thursday versus Illinois, Washington went into the second half with a 33-26 deficit on their hands. The Huskies didn’t end up getting any closer than that, hitting a 42-40 disadvantage from there in a 75-66 loss on the road. Topping the team in the losing effort was Hannes Steinbach with 15 points and 12 boards. Zoom Diallo doubled up as well with 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
Over on the Northwestern side, they won four straight to open the year, then fell to Virginia, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Ohio State in the next five. After a 3-1 run with a lone loss to Butler, the Wildcats would lose to Minnesota, Michigan State, Rutgers, Illinois, Nebraska and UCLA over the next seven outings. In their opening 20 games this year Northwestern put a 9-11 record in the books.
Matched up against Penn State on Thursday the Wildcats were sitting in the locker room with a 45-40 advantage. Northwestern kept it up from there, hitting a 49-33 run in the second half for a 94-73 win at home as the game concluded. Nick Martinelli was tops on the team with 34 points, and Tre Singleton doubled up on 17 points and 18 rebounds. Angelo Ciaravino had 20 points and four boards as well.
Washington Huskies @ Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends: January 31, 2026
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- Washington has lost each of its last 10 night games against the Big Ten Conference.
- Northwestern has won 22 of its last 25 night games at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
- Northwestern has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 games at Welsh-Ryan Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Washington Huskies will win
- Northwestern has lost each of its last seven Saturday games against the Big Ten Conference.
- Washington has won three of its last four games following a road loss.
Washington vs Northwestern Prediction
I’ll stay with Northwestern. The Wildcats didn’t have too many issues in a home win over a middling Penn State team this week, shooting a cool 60.3 percent from the field with an excellent 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from outside and a 32-18 rebounding edge. Northwestern did give up 49 percent shooting on the other side, but it hardly mattered. The Wildcats have lost six of their last eight games but they’re 2-1 in the last three with 74 or more points in both of those victories.
As for Washington, they couldn’t keep pace with a very good Illini team in a road matchup during their latest loss. The Huskies shot 44.8 percent from the field in that one with a 34-28 edge on points in the paint. Statistically, they didn’t play too badly overall. Washington is just 1-4 in their last five games, but to be fair all of those losses came to ranked teams. This one might end up being close.