Howard Bison vs Northwestern Wildcats Picks & Predictions for Tuesday December 30, 2025
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The Howard Bison travel to Evanston to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a non-conference matchup at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM ET, with coverage on BTN. Howard enters this contest riding a hot streak, while Northwestern looks to bounce back at home. For more daily betting analysis, check out free college basketball picks.
Howard Bison Preview: Momentum Meets a Major Road Test
Howard comes into this game with a 9-5 overall record and a 2-3 conference mark, riding a five-game winning streak. The Bison have won close, competitive games recently, including a 67-66 road win at UNC Wilmington in their last outing, showing toughness late in games.
From a statistical standpoint, Howard averages 75.6 points per game while allowing 70.7 points per game, giving them a solid defensive foundation. They are shooting 45% from the field, pulling down 34.6 rebounds per game, and forcing turnovers with 9.5 steals per contest. While Howard does not overwhelm opponents offensively, they consistently stay within striking distance.
The engine of the offence is Bryce Harris, who leads the team with 19.8 points per game on 47.8% shooting, while also converting 81.4% from the free-throw line. His ability to score efficiently is critical for Howard, especially when facing a Big Ten opponent on the road.
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Northwestern Wildcats Preview: Home Court and Offensive Balance
Northwestern enters this matchup at 7-5 overall and 5-2 at home, despite dropping their most recent game 61-58 against Butler. The Wildcats have been far more reliable in Evanston and will look to reassert control against a mid-major opponent.
The Wildcats average 80.6 points per game while allowing 70.2 points per game, giving them a clear offensive edge in this matchup. Northwestern is shooting 49% from the field, averaging 18.4 assists per game, and playing a more structured half-court offence than Howard. Their ball movement and shot selection are major strengths.
Northwestern’s go-to scorer is Nick Martinelli, who is averaging 21.9 points per game on an excellent 59.4% shooting from the floor. His efficiency inside makes Northwestern difficult to defend, particularly for teams that lack interior depth.
Key Points To Watch For
One of the biggest factors in this matchup is offensive efficiency. Northwestern shoots 49% as a team, compared to Howard’s 45%, and that gap tends to widen against physical Big Ten competition. Assist rate also favors Northwestern (18.4 APG vs 14.8 APG), which points to better ball movement and cleaner scoring looks. Howard’s recent success has come in close games, but Northwestern’s ability to generate separation at home could be decisive.
Howard Bison vs Northwestern Wildcats Pick
I’m backing Northwestern -20.5 in this matchup. While Howard is playing good basketball, this is a clear step up in competition on the road. Northwestern’s scoring efficiency, ball movement, and interior presence give them the tools to gradually pull away and cover the number, especially at home. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for Howard with the Thrillz promo code. Make the most of your bets on Northwestern by using the sportsbook promos. Make sure when you place your Howard vs Northwestern bet you are using the bet365 bonus code.
My lean is Under 146.5. Howard plays at a more controlled pace and averages just 75.6 points per game, while Northwestern is comfortable slowing games down once they establish a lead. With both teams allowing around 70 points per game, the total feels slightly inflated.
Final Score Prediction:
Northwestern 83, Howard 60
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