The Northwestern Wildcats take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in University Park, PA. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Penn State is favored by 4.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -198. The total is set at 144.5 points.
Here’s my Northwestern vs. Penn State predictions and college basketball picks for January 2, 2025.
Northwestern vs Penn State Prediction
My Pick: Penn State -4.5 (Play to -5.5)
My Northwestern vs Penn State best bet is on the Nittany Lions 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 Penn State Odds
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -112 | 144.5 -112o / -108u | +164 |
| Penn State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -108 | 144.5 -112o / -108u | -198 |
- Northwestern vs Penn State spread: Penn State -4.5
- Northwestern vs Penn State over/under: 144.5 points
- Northwestern vs Penn State moneyline: Penn State -198, Northwestern +164
- Northwestern vs Penn State best bet: Penn State -4.5 (Play to -5.5)
Spread
I'm taking Penn State on the spread up to 5.5.
Moneyline
I'm not targeting the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm avoiding the total.
My Pick: Penn State -4.5 (Play to -5.5)
Northwestern vs Penn State College Basketball Betting Preview
The list of things I trust more than Big Ten home teams in league play is a pretty small one.
We’re heading back to the well today to back Penn State, which has enjoyed the typical home court advantage thus far, dispatching Purdue in convincing fashion.
I like the pace the Nittany Lions play at in this spot, as well. They play at the 18th-fastest tempo in America, thriving in transition.
Meanwhile, Northwestern prefers a rock fight, ranking No. 318th in adjusted tempo and No. 82 in offensive efficiency.
Plus, the main source of offense for Northwestern is tough 2s by Brooks Barnhizer and Nick Martinelli. That’s not an ideal way to score against this Penn State defense, which throws out intense ball pressure.
Penn State is also very strong on both ends, ranking top-45 in offensive and defensive efficiency.
While Northwestern is limited to winning a low-scoring game, Penn State is capable of winning a shootout or a defensive struggle.
Take the Nittany Lions on their home turf.
