Northwestern vs. Boise State Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – NCAA Tournament Round First Round

The No. 7 Northwestern Wildcats (21-11) are 1.5-point favorites to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament when they meet the No. 10 Boise State Broncos (24-9) on Thursday, starting at 7:35 PM on truTV. Here’s everything you need to know about this 7-10 matchup before filling out your bracket. The over/under for the matchup is set at 128.

Northwestern vs. Boise State Odds

• Northwestern odds to win: -126
• Boise State odds to win: +106
• Spread: Northwestern (-1.5)
• Total: 128

Northwestern vs. Boise State Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

• Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
• Time: 7:35 PM ET
• TV: truTV
• Where: Sacramento, California
• Venue: Golden 1 Center

Who Will Win Northwestern vs. Boise State?

Northwestern and Boise State Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

In games it has played as at least 1.5-point favorites this season, Northwestern is 8-8 against the spread.

Boise State is 8-3 against the spread when an underdog by 1.5 points or more this year.

These teams average 139.9 points per game combined, 11.9 more than the over/under of 128.

Northwestern and Boise State have seen their opponents average a combined 1.2 fewer points per game than the point total of 128 set for this game.

Northwestern’s average total in outings this season has been 130.1, 2.1 points higher than the total in this particular game.

The average over/under in Broncos games this season is 8.6 more points than the point total of 128 in this outing.

The Wildcats are 19-13-0 against the spread this season.

So far this year, the Broncos have put together a 17-14-1 record against the spread.

Northwestern Stats & Insights

Northwestern’s +166 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 5.2 points per game) is a result of scoring 67.7 points per game (281st in college basketball) while allowing 62.5 per contest (18th in college basketball).

Northwestern is 157th in the nation at 32.1 rebounds per game. That’s similar to the 31.8 its opponents average.

The Wildcats knock down 7.7 three-pointers per game (139th in college basketball) compared to their opponents’ 7.6. They shoot 32.1% from deep while their opponents hit 33.9% from long range.

Northwestern puts up 91.9 points per 100 possessions (228th in college basketball), while allowing 84.8 points per 100 possessions (29th in college basketball).

Offensively the Wildcats have been worse at home this season, averaging 68.2 points per game, compared to 69.5 per game away from home.

Boise State Stats & Insights

Boise State has a +261 scoring differential, topping opponents by 7.9 points per game. It is putting up 72.2 points per game, 166th in college basketball, and is allowing 64.3 per outing to rank 34th in college basketball.

The 33.2 rebounds per game Boise State accumulates rank 90th in the nation, 3.8 more than the 29.4 its opponents pull down.

Boise State connects on 7.8 three-pointers per game (126th in college basketball), 1.3 more than its opponents. It shoots 36.5% from deep (58th in college basketball), and its opponents are shooting 30.9%.

Boise State ranks 90th in college basketball averaging 97.1 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively is 59th, allowing 86.5 points per 100 possessions.

At home, the Broncos score 75.4 points per game. Away, they score 69.7.

Northwestern Key Players to Watch

The Wildcats leader in points and assists is Boo Buie, who scores 17.1 points per game along with 4.5 assists.

Northwestern’s best rebounder is Matthew Nicholson, who averages 5.5 boards per game in addition to his 6 PPG average.

The Wildcats get the most three-point shooting production out of Buie, who knocks down 1.9 threes per game.

The Northwestern steals leader is Chase Audige, who averages 2.4 takeaways per game, while its blocks leader is Nicholson, who compiles 1.2 rejections per contest.

Boise State Key Players to Watch

Marcus Shaver Jr. has tallied 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, putting him at the top of the Broncos leaderboards in those stat categories.

Tyson Degenhart counts for 14.3 points per game, making him the top scorer on Boise State’s team.

Max Rice makes 2.2 three-pointers per game, the most on the Broncos.

Boise State’s leader in steals is Shaver with 1.6 per game, and its leader in blocks is Naje Smith with one per game.

Northwestern vs. Boise State Prediction

• Pick ATS:

  Boise State (+1.5)
  

• Pick OU:

  Over (128)
  

• Prediction:
  Boise State 68, Northwestern 65

How to Bet on Northwestern vs. Boise State

And for more CBB game previews, NCAA basketball picks or even how to bet on college basketball check out the latest NCAAB lines on Betsperts.