Nebraska vs Northwestern College Basketball Prediction, Odds, Picks, Best Bets for Jan. 17

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-0, 6-0 Big Ten) aim to extend a three-game road winning streak when they visit the Northwestern Wildcats (8-9, 0-6 Big Ten) on January 17, 2026.

Before you place your bet on this matchup at FanDuel Sportsbook, here are the NCAA basketball odds and spreads you need to know.

Nebraska vs. Northwestern Game Info and Odds

• Game day: Saturday, January 17, 2026
• Game time: 4 p.m. ET
• TV channel: Big Ten Network
• Location: Evanston, Illinois
• Arena: Welsh-Ryan Arena

Nebraska vs. Northwestern Picks and Prediction

All college basketball win probability predictions and picks are according to numberFire.
Prediction: Nebraska win (65.6%)

Before you wager on Saturday's Nebraska-Northwestern spread (Nebraska -4.5) or over/under (149.5 points), check out the betting insights and trends below.

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Nebraska vs. Northwestern: ATS Betting Stats and Trends

• Nebraska has compiled a 10-7-0 record against the spread this season.
• Northwestern is 5-12-0 ATS this season.
• Nebraska covers the spread when it is a 4.5-point favorite or more 50% of the time. That's more often than Northwestern covers as an underdog of 4.5 or more (33.3%).
• The Cornhuskers did a better job covering the spread on the road (6-5-0) than they did at home (6-10-0) last season.
• The Wildcats' winning percentage against the spread at home is .333 (3-6-0). On the road, it is .250 (1-3-0).
• Nebraska has five wins against the spread in six conference games this year.
• Northwestern has one Big Ten win against the spread this year.

Nebraska vs. Northwestern: Moneyline Betting Stats

• Nebraska has yet to lose any of the 11 games it has been chosen as the moneyline favorite in this season.
• The Cornhuskers have not lost in six games this year when favored by -235 or better on the moneyline.
• Northwestern has lost all five of the games it has been the moneyline underdog this season.
• The Wildcats have not won a game when entering as a moneyline underdog with odds of +190 or longer in three chances.
• Bookmakers have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that Nebraska has a 70.1% chance of pulling out a win.

Nebraska vs. Northwestern Head-to-Head Comparison

• Nebraska was 116th in college basketball in points scored (76 per game) and 199th in points conceded (72.6) last season.
• Nebraska collected 32.7 rebounds per game and gave up 32.2 boards last year, ranking 142nd and 247th, respectively, in college basketball.
• With 14.2 assists per game last season, Nebraska was 124th in college basketball.
• Last year, Nebraska was 150th in college basketball in turnovers committed (10.9 per game) and 121st in turnovers forced (11.9).
• Northwestern scored 72.4 points per game (218th-ranked in college basketball) last season, while giving up 69.2 points per contest (85th-ranked).
• Northwestern was 266th in college basketball with 30.6 boards per game. Meanwhile, it ranked 153rd with 30.8 rebounds allowed per contest.
• Northwestern ranked 105th in the nation with 14.5 dimes per contest.
• Northwestern was top-25 last season in turnovers, 25th-best in college basketball with 9.3 turnovers per game. Meanwhile, it ranked 67th with 12.6 forced turnovers per contest.

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