Boise State vs Northwestern: Betting Preview and Pick

Boise State (24-9 SU 15-15 ATS) vs. Northwestern (21-11 SU 16-16 ATS)
When: Thursday, March 16th: 7:35 ET
Where: Golden 1 Center Sacramento, CA
TV: truT
Point Spread: BSU +1/NW -1 (Have you seen the live betting at Bovada? It’s SICK!)
Total: 129.0
Money Line: Boise State Broncos -110/Northwestern Wildcats -111

Boise State (24-9 SU 15-15 ATS) will face off against Northwestern (21-11 SU 16-16 ATS) on Thursday, March 16th at 7:35 ET. The game will take place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA, and be broadcasted on truTV. The point spread for this matchup is set at BSU +1/NW -1, with the total line at 129.0. Money Line odds are Boise State Broncos -110 and Northwestern Wildcats -111.

Line Movement

Bosie State opened as a -1 favorite, but Northwestern money has come in to push the Wildcats to a -2/-2.5 spread favorite. The total has bounced around a bit, but most books are a hanging a 128.5, which is the same they opened the game at.

Last Game Info

Boise State lost to Utah State in their last game by a score of 72-62. But because the Broncos were +2 point underdogs, they finished with an ATS win. The combined 134 points did not surpass the 144 total line.

Going into their last game, Northwestern was the betting favorite at -1.5 but fell to Penn State by a score of 67-65. The combined 132 points finished above the 130 total line.

Current Form

Boise State
Over their last five games, Boise State has a straight-up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Broncos’ offense averages 71.2 points per game while hitting 44.4% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 44.1% from the field while allowing 73.6 points per contest.

Northwestern
In their previous five contests, Northwestern is 1-4 straight-up and 2-3 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 63.2 points per game on a shooting percentage of 38.6%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 44.4% of their shots while giving up 65.8 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Boise State’s opponents comes in at 79.8. On the other side, Northwestern’s combined opponent power rating sits at 84.1.

How Does Boise State Fare On Neutral Courts?

This season, the Broncos are 5-2 in games on neutral courts.

How Does Northwestern Fare On Neutral Courts?

This season, the Wildcats are 1-2 in games on neutral courts.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Boise State is averaging 68.7 points per game (279th) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 44.9%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a Northwestern defense that has allowed an average of 62.5 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 41.3% of their shots vs. Northwestern. On the other side, the Northwestern Wildcats are coming into the game averaging 73.0 points per game on a shooting percentage of 42.7%. The Wildcats will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 64.3 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 41.7% of their shots vs. the Broncos.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Boise State has a shooting percentage of 34.8% while ranking 409th in attempts per game. The Broncos will be facing a Northwestern defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 33.9%. Northwestern enters the game having hit 34.7% of their looks from deep while averaging 8.35 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Boise State has allowed opponents to hit 33.4% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Boise State

• RJ Keene (Out) Shoulder
• Sadraque NgaNga (Questionable) Illness

Northwestern

• Julian Roper II (Out) Ankle
• Luke Hunger (Out) Foot

Pick Against The Line

Both teams can play defense, and that especially goes for Northwestern. The lack of scoring punch down the stretch by the BSU has me on NW, and I’m biting on the UNDER 128.5 as well.