Northwestern Wildcats vs Indiana Hoosiers Picks and Predictions for Wednesday March 11 2026
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The Northwestern Wildcats face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Tournament Second Round on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast on BTN. Indiana enters as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 144.5. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more predictions and tournament betting insights.
Northwestern Bringing Momentum from Opening Round
The Northwestern Wildcats enter this matchup with a 14-18 overall record and a 5-15 mark in Big Ten play. They advanced in the tournament after recently winning over Penn State 76-66 in the opening round. In their last five games, Northwestern has recently won over Penn State, Oregon, and Indiana, while they have recently lost to Minnesota and Purdue.
Northwestern averages 73.2 points per game while allowing 72.0 points per contest this season. The Wildcats shoot 46% from the field and average 30.9 rebounds and 17.0 assists per game, demonstrating strong ball movement within their offense. Defensively they contribute 5.7 steals and 3.8 blocks per game, showing the ability to disrupt opponents and protect the rim.
In the first-round victory over Penn State, Northwestern showed strong offensive efficiency and controlled the boards. Nick Martinelli led the Wildcats with 24 points and also grabbed 9 rebounds, giving Northwestern a major advantage inside. The Wildcats also limited turnovers to just eight and shot 51% from the field, an efficiency level they will need to maintain against Indiana on a short turnaround.
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Indiana Rested After First-Round Bye
The Indiana Hoosiers enter the Big Ten Tournament with an 18-13 overall record and a 9-11 mark in conference play, earning a first-round bye into the second round. In their last five games, Indiana has recently won over Minnesota, while they have recently lost to Ohio State, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Purdue.
Indiana averages 78.7 points per game while allowing 72.1 points per contest this season. The Hoosiers shoot 47% from the field and average 32.5 rebounds and 16.8 assists per game, highlighting a balanced offensive approach. Defensively they record 4.7 steals and 2.7 blocks per game, often relying on half-court defense and efficient scoring to control games.
In their most recent outing, Indiana recently lost to Ohio State 91-78, despite shooting an efficient 55% from the field. Lamar Wilkerson led the Hoosiers with 18 points, while Reed Bailey grabbed 5 rebounds to lead the team on the glass. Turnovers and defensive lapses proved costly in that game, something Indiana will need to improve if they want to slow down Northwestern’s momentum.
Northwestern Wildcats vs Indiana Hoosiers Pick
Northwestern Wildcats vs Indiana Hoosiers Spread Pick
- Pick: Indiana Hoosiers -3.5
Indiana enters this matchup with the advantage of rest and a slightly more balanced offensive attack. The Hoosiers score nearly 79 points per game and shoot efficiently from the field, which should help them keep pace with a Northwestern team that relies heavily on half-court execution. While Northwestern already defeated Indiana earlier this season and enters with momentum, the short turnaround could impact their energy levels. With Indiana having time to prepare and adjust defensively, I expect the Hoosiers to take control late and cover the spread.
Northwestern Wildcats vs Indiana Hoosiers Total Pick
- Pick: Over 144.5
I like the over in this matchup because both teams are capable of scoring efficiently and playing at a moderate pace. Northwestern just shot over 50% from the field in the first round, while Indiana shot 55% in their most recent game despite the loss. With both offenses capable of generating quality shots and each team averaging over 73 points per game, this matchup has strong potential to surpass the posted total.
Final Score Prediction: Indiana 78, Northwestern 72
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