Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-7) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (15-7)
February 7, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Northwestern Wildcats -4; Over/Under: 145
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northwestern Wildcats meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Welsh-Ryan Arena. Nebraska is currently 16-7 overall and coming off a loss to Illinois. As for Northwestern, they’re fresh off a loss to Minnesota that dropped the Wildcats to 15-7 so far. Let’s get into our Nebraska vs. Northwestern prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers only took two losses in their first 14 games this year. Since then it’s been a sketchier 4-5 run against some tough Big Ten squads, though. The losses in that time have come versus Wisconsin, Iowa, Rutgers, Maryland and Illinois (with wins over Purdue, Northwestern, Ohio State and Wisconsin otherwise).
In the Illinois game on Sunday, Nebraska had a close call and nearly pulled off the upset. After 36 points in the first half, 37 in the second and 11 in overtime the Cornhuskers had a tough loss 87-84. Leading team scorer Keisei Tominaga posted 31 points with three rebounds in the defeat.
Northwestern Wildcats
Over on the Wildcats’ side, they only lost three of their first 15 games this year to Mississippi State, Chicago State and Illinois. Northwestern is on a 3-4 run over the last seven with losses to Wisconsin, Nebraska, Purdue and Minnesota alongside wins over Maryland, Illinois and Ohio State.
In the Minnesota matchup over the weekend, the Wildcats also had an overtime finish. Northwestern posted 27 points in the first half and 34 in the second, but then got outscored 14-5 from there in a 75-66 loss. Boo Buie was the lead contributor on 20 points and seven assists.
ANDREW’S FREE NEBRASKA VS NORTHWESTERN PREDICTION
I’ll stay with Nebraska. You could probably call this one either way, though; it’ll be a fun matchup. The Cornhuskers nearly stunned a good Illini team in their last outing, shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range and going a perfect 14-of-14 from the line. The rebounding deficit 50-33 (17-5 offensive) was where the game was lost, though. Still, Nebraska has been a feisty team even during this tough Big Ten swing.
As for Northwestern, they’re in a similar scrappy situation lately. The Wildcats have gone to overtime in three of the last four games (a 2-2 run) and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this one go extra time either. In the end I like Nebraska to pull off the cover, but Northwestern should make things very interesting.
