The Iowa Hawkeyes (12-18, 3-14 Big 10) and Northwestern Wildcats (15-15, 6-11 Big 10) will clash at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to bring the regular season to an end. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 147.5 points with Iowa opening as a 3-point favorite. Action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 25, 2018.
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Iowa Hawkeyes ATS Preview
The last time the Wildcats played, they were beaten by the Wisconsin Badgers, 70-64. With 26 points on 8-for-16 shooting, Scottie Lindsey was the top scorer from either team. Wisconsin forced the Wildcats into a turnover percentage of 19.3 (above their season average of 15.4). Northwestern, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 39.1 (above their season average of 29.3).
The Hawkeyes are hoping for a better outcome after their 86-82 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their last outing. Isaiah Moss was Iowa’s leading scorer with 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting. Minnesota had a free throw rate of 0.377 (above their season average of 0.245). Iowa, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (36.8 vs. 30.0).
Iowa figures to have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Hawkeyes rank 58th in effective field goal percentage (0.544), while Northwestern ranks 186th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.506).
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. Northwestern games have finished under 59.3 percent of the time, while 65.4 percent of games involving Iowa have gone over. The Wildcats hold a clear advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 15-15 SU and 11-16 ATS, while the Hawkeyes are 12-18 SU and 9-15-2 ATS.
This is the first time these teams will battle this year, after the Wildcats won the sole contest last season, 89-54. The Wildcats dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 40.7 and a fantastic effective field goal percentage of 0.685. For those same stats, the Hawkeyes were 22.2 and 0.392, respectively.
Northwestern Wildcats at Iowa Hawkeyes Free Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – Iowa, ATS Winner – Iowa, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hawkeyes average 4.2 blocks per game, which ranks 51st in the NCAA. The Wildcats rank 106th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
- Northwestern is 4-9 ATS on the road with 7 unders, 5 overs and 1 push.
- At home, Iowa is 5-4-1 ATS with 7 overs and 3 unders.
- Iowa ranks 66th in rebounds per game (37.8) while Northwestern ranks 245th (33.1).
- The Hawkeyes average 18.4 assists per game, which ranks fourth in the NCAA. The Wildcats rank 161st in assists allowed per game (13.7).
- Northwestern ranks 35th in three pointers allowed per game (19.3) while Iowa ranks 177th (22.7).
Betting Trends:
- Iowa is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Northwestern is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Hawkeyes have been outscored by an average of 8.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Iowa has defeated opponents by an average of 0.8 points.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 60.6 points per game (8.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.2 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
