Northwestern vs. Wisconsin, Picks, Odds and Prediction, Wednesday, December 3, 2025
We have early Big 10 action on Wednesday in this Northwestern vs. Wisconsin prediction. Northwestern (5-2) is hoping to beat the Badgers for the first time since 2023. Last season, they lost both games and covered once. The Wildcats come into this game having lost two of their last three. Wisconsin (5-2) looks to bounce back from a 74-63 loss to TCU on Nov. 28 in the Rady Children's Invitational Championship. Check out more Big 10 games and other free college basketball picks from Winners and Whiners.
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Wildcats fall in Chicago to Oklahoma State
Northwestern's last contest featured a lot of points, but not a lot of defense. The Wildcats fell to Oklahoma State 86-61 as a 2.5-point favorite from the United Center in Chicago on Thanksgiving night. Nick Martinelli led the Wildcats with 28 points and 10 rebounds, but his team shot just 3 of 19 from three-point range. Angelo Ciaravino added 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting before fouling out in 29 minutes.
The Wildcats rank 53rd on KenPom, 49th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, and 84th in Adjusted Defense. Marintelli leads the team with 20.6 points per game and adds 6.6 rebounds, while shooting 56.7% from the field and is 10 of 13 from long range (76.9%). Arrinten Page (6-11, 245), a Cincinnati transfer, adds 15 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 60.6% shooting from the field.
Northwestern's defense has been solid, allowing just 38.8% shooting and 28.1% from 3-point range. They rank 233rd in rebound rate at 48.2% and are third in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.081).
Badgers struggle away from home
Wisconsin is 4-0 at home and 1-2 in neutral site games after losing to BYU 98-70 from Salt Lake City on Nov. 21 and to TCU in the final of the Rady Children's Invitational championship on Friday. John Blackwell led the Badgers with 30 points on 8-of-22 shooting (11-12 FT), while Nick Boyd added 15 points. The Badgers shot just 34% from the field and 25% (7-of-28) from long range. Wiscy also turned the ball over 17 times. TCU shot 47% from the field and got balanced scoring with all five starters scoring in double figures.
The Badgers are led by Boyd, a San Diego State transfer, who averages 21 points per game and 1.6 steals on 50% shooting from the field (34.1% 3pt). Blackwell, a 6-4 junior guard, adds 19 points per game, 39.3% shooting from the field, and 40% from three-point range. Wisconsin is ranked 27th by KenPom, 31st in Adjusted Offense Efficiency and 43rd in Adjusted Defense.
Spread Pick for Northwestern vs. Wisconsin
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vinciletti | +1,570.00 |
| 2 |  Dan Kaiser | +1,223.00 |
| 3 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,000.00 |
| 4 |  Earle Sports Bets | +916.00 |
| 5 |  David Hess | +706.00 |
Northwestern vs. Wisconsin Pick and Prediction
- Wisconsin to cover (4 units)
I like this Wisconsin team. They were briefly in the top 25 and then were hammered by a very good BYU club in Utah. Right now, they are a very good team and not great away from home. Their defense is solid, especially at home where they allow just 32.1% from long range. The Badgers have dominated the Wildcats lately, winning eight of 10 and four straight. Wisconsin will also have the edge on the boards, where they are 55th in rebound rate and Northwestern is 232nd.
Over/Under Pick for Northwestern vs. Wisconsin
- Over (5 units)
Did you expect a rock fight between two Big 10 rivals? You would expect one, but Wisconsin is 60th in pace of play and Northwestern's defense has not been great away from home (33.3% 3pt). Overall, Northwestern has gone over in five straight games. The Badgers have gone over in three of their last four and six of their last eight games.
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