As two of the lower-ranked teams in the Big Ten prepare to meet, the Penn State Nittany Lions are set to face the Northwestern Wildcats in a game that promises to be closely contested. Scheduled for Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, both teams are seeking to turn their fortunes around in a challenging season.
The Nittany Lions are currently winless in conference play, but there is reason for optimism. In recent games, including a competitive six-point loss to Ohio State, they have displayed the capability to keep matches close. Predictions suggest that this matchup will also stay within striking distance, with a best bet of Penn State +7.5 against Northwestern.
Northwestern also finds itself struggling, having won just one out of nine conference games. This lends weight to the argument that the spread is excessive. Penn State’s ability to force turnovers, currently ranking 21st nationally in turnover rate, could play a crucial role, especially as Northwestern has struggled to defend inside effectively. Additionally, Northwestern’s poor three-point shooting (31%) complicates their chances of pulling away from Penn State.
Key players to watch include Penn State’s Kayden Mingo, who, despite recent struggles, leads the team with an average of 14.0 points per game. He is expected to perform well against a Northwestern defense that lacks pressure on ball-handlers. On the other side, Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli has emerged as a key scorer, averaging 23.4 points per game, which positions him as a potential threat against the Nittany Lions, who are ranked poorly for adjusted defensive performance.
Betting trends indicate that the Nittany Lions have covered the spread in seven of their last eleven away games, suggesting they could offer solid value against Northwestern. The game will be broadcast live on Peacock at 8:00 p.m. ET.
With both teams looking to gain momentum, this matchup could shift the dynamics of their seasons. Fans can hope for a competitive and entertaining game as the Nittany Lions aim to secure their first conference victory amidst a challenging schedule.