Northwestern Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Total Pick

Northwestern Wildcats (21-11 SU, 17-14-2 ATS) vs. Florida Atlantic Owls (25-8 SU, 17-17 ATS)

When: Friday, March 22nd, 12:15 PM (ET)

Where: Barclays Center, NY, Brooklyn

TV: CBS

Point Spread: NW +2.5/FLATL -2.5

Total: 141.5

Money Line: Northwestern Wildcats +125/-152

Notable Injuries

Wildcats

• Ty Berry (Out) Knee
• Matthew Nicholson (Out) Leg
• Parker Strauss (Out) Undisclosed

Owls

• Tre Carroll (Out) Arm

Recent Form

Northwestern enters this game as an underdog, as they have gone 5-9 in their 14 games as the underdog this season. They are also coming off a 70-61 loss to Wisconsin, which was their second straight loss. On the road this season, the Wildcats have gone just 4-8, and their average scoring margin on the road is -4.4 points per game.

Overall, Northwestern has gone 21-11, including a 12-10 record in Big Ten play. In non-conference games, they have gone 9-1, and they are 17-4 at home. The Wildcats’ average scoring margin at home is +9.2 points per game, and they have gone 16-3 when they have been favored.

This season, the over/under record for Northwestern games is 19-14. So far, the average over/under line in their games is 137.3, and their matchups have averaged 142.3 points. Today’s over/under line of 141.5 is higher than the average scoring total in their last three games (129 points) and similar to the average scoring total in their last five games (136 points) and their last 10 games (136 points). Over their last three games, their over/under record is 1-2.

Against the spread, Northwestern has gone 17-14-2 this season. On the road, the Wildcats have an ATS mark of 6-5-1. As the underdog, Northwestern has an 8-6 record vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, the Wildcats are 7-3 ATS. On the road, Northwestern has gone 6-4 vs. the spread this season.

Florida Atlantic will look to bounce back from a one-point loss to Temple when they host Northwestern. The Owls have a record of 17-2 at home this season, and their average scoring margin at home is +12.4 points per game.

So far, Florida Atlantic has been the favorite in 32 of their 33 games, going 24-8 in those matchups. They are favored by 2.5 points today, and their overall record for the season is 25-8.

Florida Atlantic’s over/under record for the season sits at 19-15, and the average scoring total in their games is 155.6 points. Today’s over/under line of 141.5 is lower than the season average over/under line of 149.6. So far, 25 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 3-0 with an average scoring total of 156 points.

Florida Atlantic has an ATS record of 17-17 this season. At home, their ATS mark is 11-8 and over their last 10 games as the favorite, they are 5-5.

Analysis

In their latest game, Northwestern offense put up 61 points against Wisconsin. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 37.7% and made 8 threes. Boo Buie is leading the team in scoring at 19.2 points per contest. Brooks Barnhizer has also been a key contributor, with a PPG average of 14.6 going into the game.

At present, the Wildcats’ defense is nationally ranked 94th, allowing 69.0 points per game. In their previous game vs. Wisconsin, the Badgers finished with a field goal percentage of 37% and a total of 70 points vs. Northwestern.

In contrast to their season average of 82.5 points per game, the Florida Atlantic had a below-average performance. They scored 73 points against Temple and had a field goal percentage of 54.2%. The team’s scoring leader is Johnell Davis, who holds an average of 18.2 as they head into today’s matchup. Additionally, Vladislav Goldin is averaging 15.6 points per game this season.

Currently, the Owls’ defense holds the 227th rank in the nation, allowing 73.2 points per game. In today’s game vs. Northwestern, the Florida Atlantic defense will be looking to do a better job avoiding putting opponents on the line. In their last game, Florida Atlantic made 18 free throws vs. the Owls.

Betting Trends

• In their last five road games, Northwestern has averaged 63 points per game while allowing 64. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-3 while going 4-1.
• Across the Owls last ten home games, the team averaged 81 points per game while allowing 78. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 3-7, while going 5-5 straight-up.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Northwestern has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
• As the betting favorite, the Owls have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups, their, straight up record was 4-1.

Rich Crew’s O/U Total Pick

I feel comfident in the NW three-point game and I have both teams hitting at the least 70 points. FAU has hit or surpassed that number in 24 of their 31 games this season. Take the Over 142.5