The Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Illinois. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET on BTN.
Nebraska is favored by 5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -245. The total is set at 148.5 points.
Here’s my Nebraska vs. Northwestern prediction and college basketball picks for January 17, 2026.
Nebraska vs Northwestern Prediction
My Pick: Northwestern +5 or Better
My Nebraska vs Northwestern best bet is on the Wildcats to cover. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Nebraska vs. Northwestern Odds
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 148.5 -110o / -110u | -245 |
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 148.5 -110o / -110u | +200 |
- Nebraska vs Northwestern spread: Nebraska -5.5
- Nebraska vs Northwestern over/under: 148.5 points
- Nebraska vs Northwestern moneyline: Nebraska -245, Northwestern +200
Nebraska vs Northwestern College Basketball Betting Preview
Nebraska Basketball
We can look over the metrics and stats, and the Cornhuskers will have the advantage over the Wildcats.
Nebraska has quietly been one of the best turnarounds in college basketball. The Cornhuskers won just 17 games in the regular season last year, and they already have 17 wins this season.
They’ve done it with a quiet efficiency, particularly on the defensive side. They rank 14th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.
And when you look at games against competition closer to their skill level, like in conference play, games have been close. Two of those games were blowouts on their home court, but their other four wins have come by six points or fewer.
Their success has, in large part, been due to the resurgent Rienk Mast. Mast is the focus of this strong frontcourt, which includes three forwards that average at least 12 points per game.
But as good as Nebraska has been, the strength of this Wildcats team is also their frontcourt.
Northwestern Basketball
Nick Martenelli is a unicorn in today’s NCAA landscape. He has been in college for four years, appearing in 103 games, all for the Wildcats.
Martinelli is in the midst of his best campaign, averaging 23 points per game. He also has the help of Arrinten Page, who is averaging over 15 points per game.
Northwestern is the best team in the country at taking care of the ball, with just 12.3% possessions ending in a turnover, and 5.3% of those are unforced turnovers.
Nebraska vs. Northwestern Betting Analysis
We have a team that’s lost five of six, including four straight. That’s Northwestern.
On the other hand, we have a team that’s won 17 straight games and hasn't lost. That's Nebraska.
But this spread makes the books seem like they're begging for Nebraska money. It seems like a trap.
Northwestern that matches up well with what Nebraska likes to do, and the Cornhuskers have played in a lot of close games.
I expect this to be a closer affair than most people think, with Northwestern having a chance to win it late.
My Pick: Northwestern +5 or Better
