Valparaiso vs. Northwestern Pick
Can Northwestern stay strong at home when the Wildcats play host to Valparaiso tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Northwestern is favored at home tonight, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -10.5 points against Valparaiso. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 140 points. Tonight’s game takes place from Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois and will air live on the Big Ten Network.
Northwestern is coming off a dominant 96-31 win over Chicago State this week to improve to 6-4 on the season. The Wildcats have alternated wins and losses over their last nine games. Northwestern is just 3-5 against the spread, but it has covered in two straight. The Wildcats are putting up 74.2 points per game this season while allowing 66.7 per game. Scottie Lindsey led the team with 15.8 points per game while Bryant McIntosh added 13.8 points and 5.8 assists per contest.
Valpo is coming off a 71-70 loss at Ball State. The Crusaders have lost two straight to fall to 8-2 on the season. When it comes to the betting window, Valparaiso is 5-2 against the spread. Valpo is putting up 76.6 points per game on offense while allowing 67.4 per contest. Tevonn Walker is leading the team with 16.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, but he is battling mono and is out indefinitely. Bakari Evelyn is now the team leader with 10.9 points and 3.7 assists per game.
Bet on Valparaiso vs. Northwestern
These two have no recent meetings to consider. I find it hard to believe that Valpo will be able to compete on the road tonight without their top player. The rest of the Crusaders aren’t consistent scorers and their defense isn’t strong enough to lock the Wildcats up. Valpo is also 1-6-1 against the spread in its last eight games against Big Ten opponents. The public betting is backing Northwestern tonight and I am with them.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: NORTHWESTERN -10.5