The Northwestern Wildcats (11-16) take on the Indiana Hoosiers (17-10) in Bloomington, Indiana. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on FS1.
Indiana is favored by 9 points on the spread with a moneyline of -450. The total is set at 145.5 points.
Here’s my Northwestern vs. Indiana predictions and college basketball picks for February 24, 2026.
Northwestern vs Indiana Predictions, Picks
My Pick: Indiana -9.5 (Play to -10.5)
My Northwestern vs Indiana best bet is on the Hoosiers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Northwestern vs. Indiana Odds, Spread, Pick
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 145.5 -110o / -110u | +350 |
| Indiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 145.5 -110o / -110u | -450 |
- Northwestern vs Indiana spread: Indiana -8.5
- Northwestern vs Indiana over/under: 145.5 points
- Northwestern vs Indiana moneyline: Northwestern +350, Indiana -450
Northwestern vs Indiana NCAAB Betting Preview
Northwestern Preview
The Wildcats saw their season spiral out of control, ending up near the bottom of the Big Ten standings after an 0-7 start to conference play.
However, Northwestern was able to bounce back with two wins in its next three games.
From there, the schedule got tougher, and the Wildcats couldn't play near the level of their competition any longer. Northwestern had three of its next five games against teams in the top 12 in KenPom and lost five games in a row against that difficult schedule.
One of the defining markers of the losing streak was a surprising lack of production from the Wildcats' star Nick Martinelli.
Martinelli posted 12 games with 20+ points in a row, but he reached that figure just once during the losing streak. Martinelli promptly bounced back with a 29-point outing against Maryland last week, leading Northwestern to a skid-ending win.
Northwestern desperately needed that victory, and although it was a sign that the Wildcats might be building some sense of momentum, a trip to Assembly Hall is going to be a tall task.
Despite Indiana holding a commanding overall advantage in this head-to-head series, the Wildcats have won five games in a row against the Hoosiers, with Indiana's last victory against Northwestern coming in double overtime during the 2020-21 season.
Indiana Preview
For Indiana, this game is an absolute must-win. The Hoosiers are hovering around the bubble with four games remaining, and only two of those games (against Michigan State and Ohio State) are Quad 1 opportunities.
Indiana will make the NCAA Tournament if it keeps its resume clean (the Hoosiers are currently 15-0 in Quad 2, 3 and 4 games), but dropping this game against Northwestern would ruin that.
The Hoosiers should also have plenty of motivation heading into this one after losing two straight in blowout fashion on the road to Illinois and against arch-rival Purdue.
In fact, Indiana has snapped losing streaks twice earlier this season, and it's come in commanding fashion both times. The Hoosiers beat Penn State 113-72 after losing to Minnesota and Louisville in early December, and also beat Rutgers 82-59 after losing four in a row in January.
Tuesday is another bounce-back opportunity for the Hoosiers, and they also match up pretty well with Northwestern.
Indiana is 10th in the country in 2-point percentage (60.0%), despite also shooting 3s at the 10th-highest rate in the country, and Northwestern doesn't have a true rim-protecting big to stop the Hoosiers.
How To Make Northwestern vs. Indiana Picks, Best Bets
Based on some of the matchup advantages described earlier and the urgency factor for Indiana, I think the pick here is relatively simple.
The Hoosiers shoot a ton of 3s and will benefit a ton from a Northwestern defense allowing opponents to shoot triples on more than 40% of their trips down the floor.
Nothing the Wildcats do defensively will frustrate Indiana, and if shots aren't falling, the Hoosiers will find ways to finish looks at the rim as well.
Indiana will win this one easily and bounce back in style, just as it has done throughout the season.
My Pick: Indiana -9.5 (Play to -10.5)
