The Northwestern Wildcats take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Milwaukee, WI. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Northwestern is favored by -6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -270. The total is set at 138.5 points.
Here is my Northwestern vs. Georgia Tech predictions and college basketball picks for December 15, 2024.
Northwestern vs Georgia Tech Prediction
My Pick: Northwestern -6.5 (Play to -7.5)
My Northwestern vs Georgia Tech best bet is on the Wildcats spread, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Northwestern vs Georgia Tech Odds
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -106 | 138.5 -105o / -115u | -260 |
| Georgia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -114 | 138.5 -105o / -115u | +210 |
- Northwestern vs Georgia Tech spread: Northwestern -6.5
- Northwestern vs Georgia Tech over/under: 138.5 points
- Northwestern vs Georgia Tech moneyline: Northwestern -260, Georgia Tech +210
- Northwestern vs Georgia Tech best bet: Northwestern -6.5 (Play to -7.5)
Spread
I like the Wildcats.
Moneyline
No play.
Over/Under
No play.
My Pick: Northwestern -6.5 (Play to -7.5)
Northwestern vs Georgia Tech College Basketball Betting Preview
Northwestern Basketball
Northwestern fans seemed done with the Chris Collins era about three years ago, but then Collins managed to win the fans over by appearing in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments.
He can make another tournament this year, but beating teams like Georgia Tech is part of the path. The Wildcats' last game was an overtime triumph over then-ranked Illinois in Evanston.
The trio of Nick Martinelli, Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach heavily aids the Wildcats offense. Martinelli and Barnhizer combine for about 40 ppg and score a bunch while taking shots many would deem "low percentage."
Going from 2 ppg as a freshman to over 20 ppg as a junior, Martinelli is one of the great in-house success stories during the portal era.
Defense is the calling card for Northwestern, ranking 24th in KenPom's defensive efficiency. Although the Wildcats' interior defense has sometimes leaked oil, they still have an elite defense.
Meanwhile, Northwestern will probably need a more efficient offensive showing to beat Georgia Tech comfortably. I certainly think it's possible, but it likely centers around Leach and Ty Berry producing. It's no secret that Barnhizer and Martinelli want to get their own 2s.
That's why Berry and Leach providing some perimeter shooting would make a seismic difference for the Wildcats. Berry is averaging just six points per game on 30% from 3 as he looks to find his pre-injury form. Leach has played well but is shooting only 34% from 3, which needs to improve based on his role in this offense.
Georgia Tech Basketball
It's been a difficult year for Georgia Tech, coming into Sunday with a 4-5 record and a two-game losing streak. The good thing is that despite losing, the Yellow Jackets have pushed Oklahoma in Norman and North Carolina in Charlotte in the past two games. So, perhaps it's a stepping stone.
Of note, Javian McCollum missed the past four games, and Kowacie Reeves missed the last three games. There are no new updates, but I assume both are out for this game.
The Yellow Jackets run through the trio of Lance Terry, Naithan George and Baye Ndongo. Surprisingly, Terry is Georgia Tech's leading scorer, averaging 15 ppg on 39% from 3.
The one stunner about Georgia Tech is the sophomore slump from the point guard, George. The Canadian guard is averaging 11 ppg and five apg but shooting just 37% from the field and 31% from 3. With McCollum down, George needs to be more efficient as a scorer.
I wouldn't call Damon Stoudamire's squad "great" at anything. The one thing Georgia Tech is exceptional at is controlling the ball, turning it over just 14% of the time. Besides that, the Yellow Jackets are a mediocre offense and defense and don't shoot it well from 3. They are quite good at limiting teams from scoring inside the arc, as opponents shoot just 45% on 2s. That's where the length of Ndongo and 6-11 freshman Doryan Onwuchekwa factor in.
The key to more success from Georgia Tech starts beyond the arc. With around 38% of its field goals coming from 3, converting on just 31% isn't ideal. The Yellow Jackets shooting better is a must.
Northwestern vs. Georgia Tech Betting Analysis
I haven't found many reasons to believe Georgia Tech can push Northwestern here. The Wildcats don't really blow teams out. But Georgia Tech has lost four of its five games by 8+ points, so if they lose, it's typically not a super tight game.
I imagine the lack of bodies getting to Georgia Tech as time rolls on, as Northwestern can throw a plethora of interior pieces, like Matthew Nicholson and Luke Hunger, to disrupt the Yellow Jackets' younger interior.
I'm backing the Wildcats -6.5 here. They are the better team and think they will only improve.
