Valparaiso Crusaders at Northwestern Wildcats College Basketball Picks - Odds - ATS Predictions
Date:
December 14, 8:00 pm
Location:
Evanston
TV:
B1G
Betting Odds
Point Spread:
Northwestern -9.5
Total:
141.5
<p>
The Valparaiso Crusaders and Northwestern Wildcats will lock horns in a B1G versus Horizon League cross-conference clash set to take place on Thursday, December 14th, 2017 at 8:00 PM EST. The contest will take place in Evanston, Illinois and will be aired on the B1G Network. The two outfits have no recent meetings in their program histories. Northwestern is best known as the team that finally made it to March Madness in 2017 in what was one of the feel-good stories surrounding the tournament. For Valpo, the Crusaders have a far more positive reputation from the general public. Valparaiso has made several appearances in the Men’s Basketball Tournament and are considered to be a titan of its respective conference and mid-major programs everywhere. Valparaiso got off to an 8-0 start before losing their last two to Ball State and Purdue. Northwestern comes in off a 96-31 crushing of CHS, three days ago.
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<p>
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<h2>
Straight Up and Against the Point Spread Records<br />
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<p>
Valparaiso Crusaders, 8-2 SU, 5-2 ATS,<br />
Northwestern Wildcats, 6-4 SU, 3-5 ATS
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<h2>
Valparaiso vs. Northwestern NCAAB Key Betting Trends<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Northwestern is 2-0 ATS in their last two contests.
</li>
<li>
Valparaiso is 0-2 SU in their previous two outings.
</li>
<li>
Valparaiso is 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight against the B1G.
</li>
</ul>
<h2>
Public Money<br />
</h2>
<p>
Currently, the market has risen by 1.5 points indicating that action has rolled on in Northwestern. 92% of the cash and 90% of the tickets have been placed on the Wildcats. In Over/Under markets we have seen the number ascend by two points to reflect heavy action on the Over.
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Valparaiso Crusaders at Northwestern Wildcats Prediction
There are many reasons to like the Crusaders here with the points. First, Valpo features the deeper bench and is the more physical team on the boards. Valparaiso averages 41.9 offensive rebounds per game which places them 14th in the country. Northwestern ranks among the worst in the nation with a 312th ranked 32.4 offensive boards per game. This means that Valpo can get several more second chances which is essential in road games against perceived stronger opponents. Furthermore, Valparaiso makes smarter shots. The Crusaders average 46.4% from the field whilst the Cats hit 44.3% of their attempts per game. When you couple this with Valpo owning a robust ninth-ranked opponent field goal percentage (36.5%) and seventh-ranked opponent three-point field goal percentage (26.4%), the Crusaders have the full capability to bully Northwestern on its own court.
However, when you look at this contest on paper we would be hard pressed to imagine a Power Five constituent being an underdog on its own court against a mid-major club. Even one as good as Valparaiso. The fact remains we have a tremendous opportunity to step in on what is likely an exaggerated point spread by virtue of the ingredients surrounding the match-up. However, Valparaiso can upset the sauce.
Free Pick:
Take Valparaiso +8
