Iowa Hawkeyes vs Northwestern Wildcats Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Northwestern vs Iowa NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Iowa City.

Northwestern vs Iowa Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Wildcats versus the Hawkeyes? Tip off is at at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on PEAC. The game will be played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. The over/under for this Big Ten conference contest is set at 147.5 points, with Iowa being favored by -5.5 at home against Northwestern.

Northwestern vs. Iowa Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Northwestern Wildcats at Iowa Hawkeyes
Where: Iowa City at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Date: Tuesday, December 3rd
Betting Odds IOWA -5.5, NW +187 | IOWA -230 O/U 147.5

Wildcats Preview: Is an Upset Waiting to Happen on the Road?

Northwestern improved to 6-2 on the season with a 66-61 road win over UNLV on Friday. The Wildcats entered the game as -3.5 favorites and covered the spread with the victory.

Northwestern led 26-25 at halftime and scored 40 points in the 2nd half while allowing 36. The combined points for the game were 127, falling short of the 135.5 O/U line.

Wildcats Offense Breakdown

Northwestern's offense put up 66 points in their last game, shooting 40.8% from the field. They hit 44.4% from three-point range, making 8 of 18 attempts, while struggling inside, shooting just 38.7% on two-point shots. Their effective field goal percentage was 49%, and they connected on 69.2% of their free throws, going 18 for 26 from the line.

Brooks Barnhizer led the way with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, hitting 4 of 7 from deep. Dedan Thomas Jr. added 17 points, though he missed both of his three-point attempts. Jalen Leach and Jailen Bedford each contributed 15 points, with Leach going 3 for 3 from beyond the arc and Bedford hitting 3 of 4 threes.

Wildcats Team Defense

Northwestern's defense held their opponent to 61 points on 42% shooting from the field. They allowed 18 two-point field goals on 39 attempts, a 46% success rate.

From beyond the arc, the Wildcats gave up 6 threes on 18 attempts, with their opponent shooting 33%. They also sent them to the free-throw line 10 times, where they made 7, shooting 70%. Northwestern allowed 13 offensive rebounds.

Hawkeyes Preview: Do the Hawkeyes Have What it Takes at Home?

The Hawkeyes improved to 6-1 on the season with a 110-77 win over USC Upstate on Tuesday. Playing at home, Iowa entered the game as heavy favorites, -28.5, and covered the spread. The total points for the game reached 187, surpassing the O/U line of 168.5.

Iowa jumped out to a 55-28 lead by halftime and added another 55 points in the 2nd half. While they kept their offensive pace, they allowed 49 points in the 2nd half, something they’ll likely want to tighten up as they move forward.

Hawkeyes Offense Breakdown

Iowa's offense was firing on all cylinders, putting up 110 points on 60.6% shooting from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 69%. They connected on 46.2% of their threes, hitting 12 of 26 attempts, and were 80% from the free-throw line, making 12 of 15.

Brock Harding and Brit Harris each scored 20 points, with Harding also dishing out 10 assists. Josh Dix added 14 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 71.4% from the field. The Hawkeyes finished with 24 assists as a team.

Hawkeyes Team Defense

Despite Iowa's defensive struggles, they allowed 77 points on 60% shooting from the field. Their opponents were particularly effective inside, hitting 68% of their two-point attempts (31/45).

From beyond the arc, Iowa's defense gave up 12 threes on 26 attempts, a 46% shooting clip. They also sent the other team to the line 15 times, where they converted 12 free throws (80%).

Wildcats vs Hawkeyes Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their three previous road games, Northwestern has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 67 points per game.
In their last three games at home, the Hawkeyes have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 84 points per game in this stretch.
Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Wildcats have a straight up record of 4-6. But, their mark vs the spread was just 7-3.
Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Hawkeyes have a straight up record of 9-1. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-4-1.