Howard University is gearing up to face off against Northwestern University, aiming to extend their impressive five-game winning streak. This matchup marks the first of the season for the two teams, taking place on Tuesday evening in Evanston, Illinois, at 5 p.m. EST.
With a season record of 9-5, the Howard Bison will be up against the 7-5 Northwestern Wildcats, who currently hold a 0-2 record in the Big Ten Conference. The betting line from BETMGM sees Northwestern favored by 20.5 points, with an over/under set at 145.5.
Howard comes into this game with a road record of 2-3, while Northwestern has a solid home record of 5-1. The Wildcats rank sixth in the Big Ten, averaging 18.4 assists per game, led by standout player Jayden Reid, who averages 5.5 assists. In contrast, the Bison lead the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with an average of 14.8 assists per game, with Cam Gillus contributing 4.0 assists.
On the offensive end, Northwestern boasts a shooting percentage of 49.1%, which is noteworthy as it surpasses Howard’s defensive average of 44.0%. Conversely, Howard scores an average of 75.6 points per game, significantly higher than the 70.2 points they allow their opponents.
Key players to watch include Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli, who is averaging 21.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and Arrinten Page who has been contributing with 15.1 points and 6.2 rebounds over the last ten games. For Howard, Alex Cotton is notable for his 35.5% shooting from three-point range alongside his average of 9.3 points per game, while Bryce Harris shines with 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals over his past ten games.
In their last ten games, Northwestern has averaged 82.1 points, while allowing opponents to score 74.3 points, indicating a high-paced style of play. Meanwhile, Howard has averaged 74.6 points while allowing only 69.4 points to their opponents, showcasing their strong defensive capabilities.
As both teams compete, fans can expect an exciting game that promises to be a battle of offensive firepower against defensive resilience.