Michigan State vs Northwestern Prediction 1/8/26 College Basketball Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Michigan State vs Northwestern prediction for this College Basketball game on Thursday, January 8th at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview

The Michigan State Spartans are 13-2 (3-1) this season after they defeated USC by a score of 80-51 in their last game. Michigan State led 33-17 at halftime and they added 47 points in the second half in the easy win. The Spartans shot 50% from the field, 32% on three pointers, and 72% on free throws in the game. Coen Carr led MSU with 18 points and six rebounds, while Jaxon Kohler added 16 points and eight rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, Michigan State lost to Nebraska by a score of 58-56, but did beat Cornell by a score of 114-97 before that. The Spartans have scored 79.1 points per game with 42.7 rebounds and 19.3 assists per game, while they have allowed 64.4 points against per game this season. Jaxon Kohler is averaging 14.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, while Jeremy Fears Jr is averaging 11.9 points and 9.0 assists per game for the Spartans. Michigan State is shooting 46.3% from the field, 73.4% on free throws, and 36.3% on three pointers this season. 

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats are 8-6 (0-3) this year after they lost to Minnesota by a score of 84-78 in their last game. Northwestern was tied at 34 at halftime, but they allowed 50 points in the second half in the loss. The Wildcats shot 49% from the field, 26% on three pointers, and 80% on free throws in the game. Nick Martinelli led Northwestern with 26 points and six rebounds, while Jayden Reid added 19 points and seven assists in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Northwestern defeated Howard by a score of 80-60, but lost to Butler by a score of 61-58 before that. The Wildcats have scored 80.4 points per game with 33.7 rebounds and 18.6 assists per game, while they have allowed 70.4 points against per game this season. Nick Martinelli is averaging 23.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while Arrinten Page is averaging 15.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the Wildcats. Northwestern is shooting 49.0% from the field, 73.9% on free throws, and 31.5% on three pointers this year. 

Why the Michigan State Spartans will win

• Michigan State has won each of its last 20 games at Jack Breslin Student Events Center when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Northwestern has lost each of its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Michigan State has won the first half in each of its last 10 January night games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

• Northwestern has won three of its last four night games against Michigan State.
• Northwestern has won the first half in each of its last four night games against Michigan State.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Michigan State’s last six home games against Northwestern have produced a total of 136 or fewer points.
• Each of Northwestern’s last five night games have produced a total of 156+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Michigan State ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (59.4%).
• Michigan State ranks T7th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (29.3).
• Northwestern ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (8.8).
• Northwestern ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (2.11).

Michigan State vs Northwestern Prediction 

Northwestern comes into this matchup after losing two of their last three games and they are looking for their first conference win of the year. The Wildcats are shooting 49% from the field, but did score just 58 points against Butler a few games ago. Michigan State is 13-2 on the year and they just dominated USC last time out. The Spartans are shooting 46% from the field, but they are elite on defense. We saw NW lose to a bad Minnesota team in their last game, so give me Michigan State to win in a blowout here.