Boston University vs. Northwestern Prediction, Men's College Basketball Odds & Best Bets (11/9)

Fact checked at 9:41 AM ET, Nov 9, 2026

Odds as of 8:24 AM ET, Nov 9, 2026

Boston University (2-0) visits Northwestern (2-0) at 8:00 PM ET at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, with the Wildcats favored by 16.5 and the total at 144.5. Northwestern has won its first two games with defense. Binghamton scored 60, Stony Brook scored 65, and between them they made 12 of 47 threes. Boston University has allowed 76 points a game to Northeastern and Brown. We expect Northwestern's defense to hold the Terriers in the 60s and the Wildcats to pull away in a game that stays under the total, which is the script both picks need.

Boston University vs. Northwestern Predictions

• Pick #1: Under 144.5 (-111)
• Pick #2: Northwestern -16.5 (-110)

PICK #1: Under 144.5 (-111)

Chris Collins changed his defense after the exhibitions, and so far it has held up. "We've got a little more compact, trying to get in gaps and guarding the ball," he said. Northwestern has allowed 62.5 points a game, opponents are shooting 25.5% from three, and Stony Brook made only 39.2% of its shots. Even with the Wildcats scoring 86 and 78, their two games landed at 146 and 143, right on top of this number.

One widely used rating system projects 141 points, a little under 144.5, and at -111 the Under implies a 52.6% chance.

Boston University's offense is what can break this. The Terriers are shooting 51.4% from the field, and they shot over 54% in a 93-85 opener against Northeastern that totaled 178. If they score like that again, 144.5 is gone early. Their 72-67 win at Brown totaled 139, though, and we think a Big Ten defense produces something closer to that than to the opener.

PICK #2: Northwestern -16.5 (-110)

Boston University gave up 85 points to Northeastern and 67 to Brown, and it trailed Brown, a team that is 0-2, by 52-38 with under 14 minutes left before a 34-15 finish saved it. Northwestern beat Binghamton by 26 and Stony Brook by 13. The same rating system has Northwestern by about 20.6 points, more than this line asks.

Jake West, the lone returning starter, runs the offense at 21.5 points and 9.0 assists a game, and LA Pratt adds 17.5 points. Angelo Ciaravino blocked four shots against Stony Brook and is averaging 2.5 a game. At -110, the implied probability is 52.4%. The spread betting is close to even, with 53% of the bets and 54% of the money on Boston University.

Northwestern's depth could be a problem. Jack Karasinski, a transfer who scored 24 in the opener, missed the Stony Brook game in concussion protocol, and his status for tonight is unclear. Northwestern won that one by 13 without him, which would not cover this number. Kyrone Alexander can also keep the Terriers close on his own. He is averaging 24.0 points and scored a career-high 29 on 10-of-13 shooting at Brown. Neither school publishes an availability report, so this assumes no other absences.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.