Northwestern vs Wisconsin Picks and Prediction – 3/13/2025

The Northwestern Wildcats (17-15, 7-13 Big Ten) and Wisconsin Badgers (23-8, 13-7 Big Ten) face off in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Northwestern is coming off a 72-64 win over Minnesota, while Wisconsin lost to Penn State 86-75 in its last game. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Northwestern has been inconsistent, but a strong showing against Minnesota keeps them alive in the tournament. Nick Martinelli leads the offense, averaging 20.2 points per game on 46.7% shooting. He also leads the team with 6.2 rebounds per game. K.J. Windham has struggled as the primary playmaker, dishing just 1.9 assists per game. The Wildcats are scoring 72.7 points per game while shooting 44.2% from the field.

Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 69.3 points per game while averaging 7.1 steals. Ty Berry leads in steals with 1.4 per game, while Matthew Nicholson anchors the paint with 1.3 blocks per contest. The Wildcats must improve on the boards, as 33.6 rebounds per game could be an issue against a physical Wisconsin squad.

Wisconsin has been solid all season, finishing with a 13-7 Big Ten record, but recent losses to Penn State and Michigan State raise concerns. John Tonje leads the offense with 18.9 points per game on 46.0% shooting. The Badgers have been efficient, averaging 80.8 points per game while hitting 46.0% from the field. Max Klesmit contributes 2.7 assists per game, helping orchestrate a balanced attack.

Defensively, Wisconsin allows 70.9 points per game and forces fewer turnovers than Northwestern. Max Klesmit leads the team with 0.9 steals per game, while Steven Crowl has been a limited rim protector with just 0.5 blocks per contest. Wisconsin holds a rebounding edge, averaging 36.4 boards per game, which could be a key factor in this matchup.

Wisconsin has the better overall team and a more efficient offense, scoring 80.8 points per game compared to Northwestern’s 72.7. The rebounding advantage (36.4 to 33.6) will be crucial in controlling the pace. Northwestern relies heavily on Nick Martinelli, but Wisconsin has a more balanced scoring attack. Expect the Badgers to bounce back and take care of business in the Big Ten Tournament. Final Score Prediction: Wisconsin wins and covers 78-70.