The Northwestern Wildcats take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City, IA. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Iowa is favored by 5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -220. The total is set at 146.5 points.
Here’s my Northwestern vs. Iowa predictions and college basketball picks for December 3, 2024.
Northwestern vs Iowa Prediction
My Pick: Iowa -5.5
My Northwestern vs Iowa best bet is on the Hawkeyes spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Northwestern vs Iowa Odds, Spread, Pick
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5 -110 | 146.5 -110 / -110 | +180 |
| Iowa Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5 -110 | 146.5 -110 / -110 | -220 |
- Northwestern vs Iowa spread: Iowa -5
- Northwestern vs Iowa over/under: 146.5 points
- Northwestern vs Iowa moneyline: Iowa -220, Northwestern +180
- Northwestern vs Iowa best bet: Iowa -5.5 (Play to -6)
My Northwestern vs Iowa College Basketball Betting Preview
It’s hard to win a road game in college basketball, but it’s even harder to win a road game in the Big Ten.
In this instance, it might be even more difficult for Northwestern, given Iowa’s elite scoring approach and experience.
The Hawkeyes are averaging 87.4 points per game and rank 43rd in the country in KenPom’s offensive-adjusted efficiency metric. Iowa has Owen Freeman and Payton Sandford back, and Josh Dix and Brock Harding have played like they are ready to take leaps.
I am a bit worried about the Hawkeyes’ depth, though. Beyond those four players, there is not much consistency and reliability, and we already know the defense in Iowa City is never going to be elite.
Plus, the Hawkeyes struggled against Utah State. I’m not saying the Aggies aren’t a good team, or it wasn’t an excusable defeat, but the normally potent Hawkeyes offense only dropped 69 points and shot 19% from 3 against the Aggies who are just 51st in KenPom’s defensive efficiency ratings.
That’s really been Iowa’s only true test of the season thus far.
Regardless, the shooting should even out in this game for the Hawkeyes; you are not going to see Iowa shoot that poorly from 3 that often.
On the flip side, Northwestern has played Dayton, Butler and UNLV and welcomed back key offensive piece Brooks Barnhizer from an injury.
Nick Martinelli has been the best scorer for Northwestern, as he’s averaging 20.3 points per game. The Wildcats still have Ty Berry and Matthew Nicholson, as well, so the roster has plenty of chemistry under Chris Collins.
Even though I have questions about Iowa long-term and I like the Wildcats’ roster, I’m still backing the Hawkeyes in this spot. I don’t know if Northwestern is going to be able to put up enough offense to cover this spread, and in the Big Ten opener, I expect the crowd to be rocking at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Don't expect Iowa to shoot 19% from 3 in this one.
