The ninth-seeded Northwestern Wildcats will look to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time when they meet the defending national champion and overall No.1 seed UConn Huskies in the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The Wildcats (22-11), who are 3-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, have won five of their last eight games. The Huskies (32-3), who are 66-32 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, are looking to reach the Sweet 16 for the 20th time. This will be the first-ever meeting between the schools.
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 Ryan Langborg was on fire in Friday's overtime win over FAU in the first round. He poured in 27 points while adding four rebounds, three assists and two steals. He had 17 points, six assists and three rebounds in a 90-66 win over Minnesota in the regular-season finale on March 9. In 31 games, all starts, he is averaging 12.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.4 minutes.
Sophomore forward Nick Martinelli is also a big part of the Wildcats' success, mostly coming off the bench. He has reached double-digit scoring 12 times, including a season-high 27 points in a 68-61 win at Maryland on Feb. 28. He registered a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds in a 76-72 win at Indiana on Feb. 18. In 33 games, including 10 starts, he is averaging 8.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.8 minutes. 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.
