Penn State vs Northwestern Prediction & Betting Pick | College Basketball January 29, 2026

📅 Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
🕖 Time: 8:00 PM EST
🏟️ Venue: Welsh-Ryan Arena - Evanston, IL

Penn State arrives in Evanston with a 9–11 record and a five‑game skid hanging over them. Their recent losses to Ohio State, Wisconsin, Maryland, UCLA and Purdue show a team that’s struggling to find consistent answers on the road.

Offensively the Nittany Lions can score — they’re averaging 76.6 points — but their defense has been porous, surrendering 77.8 per game. Shooting at 47% helps, yet efficiency alone won’t cover up the other issues.

Rebounding and rim protection are real problems for Penn State. Averaging just 30.7 boards and 1.4 blocks per game, they’re getting outmuscled inside and losing second‑chance opportunities.

Northwestern’s profile is steadier right now despite their own rough patch. The Wildcats sit 9–11 but have the defensive structure to make life difficult for opponents, especially at home.

The Wildcats allow 71.7 points per game and shoot 46% themselves; that balance matters. Their ball movement shows up in the assist numbers — 17.8 per game — and that usually translates into cleaner looks and fewer wasted possessions.

Defensively, Northwestern protects the paint. Averaging 3.9 blocks, they contest shots without fouling and force opponents into tougher attempts late in the shot clock.

Home court at Welsh‑Ryan is a tangible edge. The Wildcats play with more energy there, and Penn State’s road form suggests they won’t handle that environment smoothly.

Matchup wise, this tilts toward Northwestern: they can control tempo, defend the interior, and make Penn State work for every point. If the Wildcats execute, the margin should grow in the second half.

I’m siding with Northwestern to cover — they’ve got the defensive tools, the home advantage, and the matchup advantages that expose Penn State’s weaknesses.

📌 Official Picks
Northwestern -7.5 -110

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