UConn vs Northwestern Prediction 3-24-24 College Basketball Picks

The Northwestern Wildcats and UConn Huskies meet Sunday in the college basketball NCAA Tournament Second Round at the Barclays Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northwestern vs UConn prediction.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats recently beat Minnesota and FAU while losing to Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Northwestern Wildcats are averaging 74.1 points on 46.1 percent shooting and allowing 69 points on 45 percent shooting. Boo Buie is averaging 19.3 points and 3.4 rebounds, while Brooks Barnhizer is averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. Ryan Langborg is the third double-digit scorer and Ty Berry is grabbing 3.9 rebounds. The Northwestern Wildcats are shooting 39.6 percent from beyond the arc and 74.8 percent from the free throw line. The Northwestern Wildcats are allowing 35.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.9 rebounds per game.

UConn Huskies Betting Preview

The UConn Huskies recently beat Villanova, Seton Hall, Marquette, and Stetson. The UConn Huskies are averaging 81.1 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 64 points on 39.8 percent shooting. Tristen Newton is averaging 15.1 points and 6.9 rebounds, while Cam Spencer is averaging 14.5 points and 3.6 assists. Alex Karaban is the third double-digit scorer and Donovan Clingan is grabbing 7.2 rebounds. The UConn Huskies are shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and 73.9 percent from the free throw line. The UConn Huskies are allowing 31.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.3 rebounds per game.

Connecticut Huskies Team Facts

• Connecticut has won each of its last 18 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Each of Connecticut’s last six NCAA Tournament night games against a lower seed have produced a total of 135 or fewer points.
• Connecticut has won the first half in each of its last 13 games played at neutral venues.

Northwestern Wildcats Team Facts

• Northwestern has won eight of its last nine games after coming off overtime.
• Each of Northwestern’s last five night games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 132 or fewer points.
• Northwestern has lost the first half in each of its last seven games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• Connecticut ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (123.7).
• Connecticut ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (97.5).
• Northwestern ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (1.81).
• Northwestern ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (8.7).

Northwestern vs UConn prediction

We know UConn is the betting favorite to win the title and the most popular pick to win the tournament. UConn is also 23-12 ATS on the season, with covers in 7 of its last 8 games. I get it. However, Northwestern is a good basketball team in its own right, with a top-100 field goal percentage and a top-10 three point percentage. Northwestern has covered 7 of its last 9 games, and this will be just the second time this season the Wildcats are double-digit underdogs. Northwestern does a lot of things well to hang in games, and it feels like UConn is getting these inflated lines because of all the hype. I like the Huskies to win, but Northwestern does enough things well to make this game interesting. Give me the points.