Northwestern vs Michigan State Prediction, Picks & Odds | 08 Jan 2026

College Basketball Betting Preview: Northwestern vs Michigan State

The Northwestern Wildcats go up against the Michigan State Spartans, with tip-off scheduled for 18:30 on Thursday, January 8.

The Overs is sticking out like a sore thumb considering the line for Northwestern and Michigan State is set at 142.5. We’re expecting a bigger total and -110 is available.

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Northwestern Wildcats lost their previous game, being beaten at home to Minnesota Golden Gophers 84-78.

Michigan State Spartans won their last game, beating USC Trojans at home. It was a 80-51 win.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Michigan State have won the last two matchups versus Northwestern. It was 53-49 at home before a 78-68 road win. The past 10 clashes between these teams have seen six Michigan State wins.

NCAAB	Overall	PF	PA	N. Pts	Home	Away	Strk
Michigan State	13-2	1186	966	220	10-1	3-1	1W
Northwestern	8-6	1125	986	139	7-4	1-2	1L

View Full Standings

Northwestern vs Michigan State Prediction & Picks

Our Northwestern vs Michigan State betting preview covers everything you need, including a key match prediction, correct score insight and a value-packed bet builder recommendation.

Game Prediction

The best betting angle could be wagering on the totals for this college matchup. Our pick is for Over 142.5 points to be scored at odds of -110 which makes plenty of appeal.

The basketball picks at Sportsgambler.com are always guided by the latest team news, injury updates and overall form. Once we've reviewed that, we dive into the most relevant stats to confidently recommend every college hoops pick.

Key Northwestern vs Michigan State stats:

• The 142.5 line has been covered in 8 of the last 10 Northwestern games.
• The 142.5 line has been covered in 3 of the last 5 Northwestern games.
• The 142.5 line has been covered in 3 of the last 5 MSU games.

Over 142.5 Probability

The top sportsbooks imply that our pick has a 52.4% prospect of winning. However, our research has found that the actual probability is closer to 60%. This is why we can recommend this college basketball bet.

It’s possible to increase the odds on your Over wager by combining it with other picks. A Bet Builder allows you to connect multiple outcomes of the same game within a single bet.

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Our Game Prediction

Over 142.5 Points @ -110 Bet Now

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Correct Score Prediction

Northwestern 65 - 82 Michigan State

There’s the chance to land huge betting odds when it comes to the Spartans winning on the correct score lines. We’ll try a 82-65 victory in their favor and this should be in the right ball park.

Northwestern vs Michigan State Odds

The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the above betting predictions.

With an estimated 93% chance of winning, the sportsbooks are taking no chances with their -1250 betting odds about Michigan State triumphing in this college game. The market suggests that Northwestern are least likely to win at +740.

13.5 is the spread and 144.5 is the total points line. A Total bet is always available and can often provide value selections. If you fancy Over 144.5, this outcome can be backed at -110.

You’ll find a broad selection of team props and game lines for most college contests, with the best basketball betting sites offering plenty of options. Be sure to review both the pre-game and in-game markets before placing your bets.

Moneyline

Northwestern

+740

MSU

-1250

Point Spread

Northwestern +13.5

-115

MSU -13.5

-105

Total Points

Under 144.5

-110

Over 144.5

-110

If you’re looking for an alternative to the main game lines, check out the player props instead. It’s great to wager on Total Points, Three-Pointers, Assists, Steals, Blocks and Rebounds as potential options.

Micro betting is something that’s really popular with bettors, with college basketball fans essentially being able to wager in-game when it comes to score, player and team props. Check out the two-way lines where you can bet whether the next shot will be a Two-pointer or a Three-pointer.

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Northwestern Stats

Michigan State Stats

Moneyline

• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games
• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 8 wins and 2 defeats in the last 10 games
• 9 wins and 1 defeat in the last 10 home games

Point Spread

• +12.5 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in the last 10 games
• +12.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the spread in 9 of the last 10 games on the road

Point Spread

• -12.5 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 6 of the last 10 games
• -12.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the spread in 7 of the last 10 home games

Total Points

• Game Totals: An average of 153.30 pts in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 140.10 pts in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 142.5: Covered in 8 of the previous 10 games
• Over 142.5 on the Road: Covered in 4 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 78.80 pts and allowed 74.50 pts in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 69.90 pts and allowed 70.20 pts in the last 10 games on the road

Total Points

• Game Totals: An average of 144.00 pts in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 144.70 pts in the previous 10 home games
• Over 142.5: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games
• Over 142.5 at Home: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 79.10 pts and allowed 64.90 pts in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 80.20 pts and allowed 64.50 pts in the last 10 home games

NCAAB Table Select Season 2025/20262024/20252023/20242022/20232021/20222020/20212019/2020

Big Ten	Overall	PF	PA	N. Pts	Home	Away	Strk
Michigan	14-0	1331	936	395	10-0	4-0	14W
Nebraska	15-0	1216	986	230	13-0	2-0	15W
Purdue	14-1	1290	1004	286	11-1	3-0	6W
Michigan State	13-2	1186	966	220	10-1	3-1	1W
Indiana	12-3	1275	1005	270	11-1	1-2	4W
Iowa	12-3	1197	912	285	11-0	1-3	1L
USC	12-3	1279	1155	124	8-1	4-2	2L
Illinois	11-3	1220	955	265	8-3	3-0	3W
Ohio State	10-4	1184	1008	176	7-3	3-1	1L
Minnesota	10-5	1099	987	112	9-3	1-2	5W
UCLA	10-5	1195	1050	145	9-1	1-4	2L
Wisconsin	10-5	1238	1112	126	9-1	1-4	1W
Washington	9-6	1226	1096	130	6-1	3-5	2L
Penn State	9-6	1165	1113	52	8-5	1-1	2L
Northwestern	8-6	1125	986	139	7-4	1-2	1L
Oregon	8-7	1165	1100	65	7-3	1-4	1L
Rutgers	8-7	1054	1088	-34	8-3	0-4	1W
Maryland	7-8	1119	1172	-53	6-4	1-4	2L

• Overall = Overall Wins-Losses
• PF = Total Points For
• PA = Total Points Against
• N. Pts = Point Differential
• Home = Home Record
• Away = Away Record
• Strk = Current Streak

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