Northwestern vs. Indiana Prediction
Unranked Northwestern heads to Bloomington to face #15 Indiana at 12:00 PM ET Sunday afternoon on FS1. Can the Hoosiers cover the 6.5-point spread as home favorites?
Northwestern is 11-3 on the year with their best wins coming over Michigan State and Illinois. Their worst losses came against Pittsburgh and Ohio State. The Wildcats are 8-6 against the spread this season.
Indiana is 10-4 this season with their best wins coming over Xavier and North Carolina. Their worst losses came against Rutgers and Arizona. The Hoosiers are 6-7-1 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
841 Northwestern Wildcats (+6.5) vs. 842 Indiana Hoosiers (-6.5); O/U 133.5
12:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 8, 2023
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN
Northwestern vs. Indiana Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public is split on this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 50% of public bets are on Northwestern +6.5. Do note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Northwestern Game Notes
Northwestern’s best player has been William and Mary transfer Chase Audige this season. The 6’4” senior guard leads the Wildcats in scoring with 15.8 points per game and ranks first on the club in steals with 2.6 per game.
One of the Wildcats’ best big men is 6’9” senior forward Robbie Beran. Beran is averaging 9.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1 blocked shot per game this season. Since scoring 20 points on December 11th against Prarie View A&M Beran has only reached double figures in scoring once since then. Northwestern may need him to step up if they’re going to cover on the road Sunday.
Indiana Game Notes
Indiana will likely be shorthanded for this game. The Hoosiers’ third-leading scorer, Xavier Johnson, has been out with a foot injury since December 21st, and it’s not clear when he’ll be able to return. Johnson is averaging 9.9 points per contest this season while leading the Hoosiers in assists with 4.9 per game.
Indiana’s leading scorer Trayce Jackson-Davis had missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury but he played in the Hoosiers’ Thursday night game against Iowa, scoring 30 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Jackson-Davis has posted 17.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the Hoosiers this year. Trayce Jackson-Davis will need to step up if Indiana is going to cover against a scrappy Northwestern squad.
Northwestern vs. Indiana CBB Betting Trends
Northwestern is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against a team with a winning percentage over .600.
Indiana is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Indiana is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS loss.
Indiana is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against a team with a winning percentage over .600.
Northwestern vs. Indiana CBB Prediction:
Northwestern has been in this position before. On December 4th the Wildcats played a Sunday road game in East Lansing against Michigan State. The Spartans were 5.5-point favorites in that contest. Northwestern ended up winning the game outright 70-63. I could see a similar scenario playing out on Sunday afternoon.
Indiana is a team currently struggling with consistency. The Hoosiers have wins over Xavier and North Carolina, but they also have losses against Rutgers and Iowa. Making matters worse is the loss of forward Race Thompson. Thompson had been averaging 8.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 22.9 minutes per contest for the Hoosiers this season. He’s dealing with a knee injury and won’t play on Sunday. Because of how inconsistent Indiana has played and Northwestern’s defense (4th in the nation in defensive efficiency), I’ll take the Wildcats and the points on Sunday.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS +6.5
