UConn vs. Northwestern odds, score prediction: 2024 NCAA Tournament picks, March Madness bets by top model
The top-seeded UConn Huskies will continue their title defense when they battle the ninth-seeded Northwestern Wildcats in the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The Wildcats (22-11) are 2-3 against ranked opponents and are looking to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. The Huskies (32-3) dominated Big East play this season, finishing with an 18-2 regular-season conference record before sweeping through the Big East Tournament. UConn cruised to victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, beating Stetson 91-52.
Tip-off from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., is set for 7:45 p.m. ET. The Huskies are 13.5-point favorites in the latest Northwestern vs. UConn odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 136. Before making any UConn vs. Northwestern picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters the 2024 NCAA tournament on a 148-106 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $1,700 for $100 players. It also has a strong 29-19 (+810) record on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on UConn vs. Northwestern. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Northwestern vs. UConn:
- Northwestern vs. UConn spread: UConn -13.5
- Northwestern vs. UConn over/under: 136 points
- Northwestern vs. UConn money line: Northwestern +683, UConn -1083
- NW: The Wildcats are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games
- CONN: The Huskies 7-1 ATS in their last eight games
- Northwestern vs. UConn picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why UConn can cover
Sophomore forward Alex Karaban helped power Friday’s rout of Stetson in the first round with 12 points and four rebounds in just 26 minutes of action. He has reached double-digit scoring 25 times this year, including a season-high 26 points twice, the last coming in an 80-67 win over Georgetown on Jan. 14. In 34 games, all starts, he is averaging 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 31.4 minutes. In 73 career games with UConn, he has made 72 starts.
Sophomore center Donovan Clingan has been dominant of late. He poured in 22 points while grabbing 16 rebounds in the 73-57 Big East Tournament title game win over Marquette on March 16. He followed that up with a 19-point, eight-rebound and four-assist performance in just 20 minutes in the win over Stetson on Friday to open the 2024 NCAA Tournament. In 30 games, including 28 starts, Clingan is averaging 12.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.6 assists. See which team to pick at SportsLine.
Why Northwestern can cover
Senior guard Boo Buie has been dominant of late, reaching 20 or more points in four of the past five games. In Friday’s win over FAU, he poured in 22 points while adding four assists and three rebounds. In 33 games, all starts, he is averaging 19.3 points, 5.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 36.8 minutes.
Junior guard Brooks Barnhizer has registered double-doubles in three of the past four games. In the win over FAU on Friday, he scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He had 13 points and 14 rebounds in the Big Ten quarterfinal loss to Wisconsin. He had 23 points in a 90-66 win over Minnesota on March 9, while scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 boards in a 53-49 loss at Michigan State on March 6. In 33 games, all starts, he is averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals. See which team to pick at SportsLine.
How to make Northwestern vs. UConn picks
The model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 148 points. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins UConn vs. Northwestern, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the computer model that is 29-19 on top-rated college basketball spread picks this season.
