Northwestern vs. Florida Atlantic Picks and Predictions – Friday, Mar. 22

Mar 21, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) drives to the basket during team practice at Barclays Center.
Image Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

We have your Northwestern Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Northwestern Wildcats hit the road to face the Florida Atlantic Owls.

The Northwestern Wildcats (21-11) are set to face off against the Florida Atlantic Owls (25-8) in a highly anticipated matchup. With both teams eager to advance, this game promises to be a clash of titans.

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Odds Info

Moneyline: Northwestern Wildcats +154 (DraftKings) / Florida Atlantic Owls -175 (BetRivers)

Spread: -3.5 – Northwestern Wildcats -109 (BetPARX) / Florida Atlantic Owls -110 (BetPARX)

Total: 143.5 – -110 (Ceasars) / -108 (DraftKings)

Game Info

Date: Friday, Mar. 22

Time: 11:15 AM

Location: Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY

TV: CBS

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

  • On the road, Northwestern Wildcats are 4 and 7 this season.
  • Against the spread this season, Northwestern Wildcats are 18 and 13.
  • Against the spread on the road, Northwestern Wildcats are 8 and 4.

Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Trends

  • At home, Florida Atlantic Owls are 13 and 1 this season.
  • Against the spread this season, Florida Atlantic Owls are 16 and 17.
  • Against the spread at home, Florida Atlantic Owls are 9 and 8.

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Predictions

The Wildcats, coming off a narrow loss, are looking to rebound and showcase their formidable three-point shooting prowess, which ranks 29th in the nation. Led by guard Boo Buie, who averages 19.2 points per game, Northwestern’s offense is known for its precision from beyond the arc. However, they’ll be tested against an FAU team that has shown resilience and depth throughout the season. The Owls, on a one-game winning streak, boast an offense that ranks 21st in average points, fueled by guard Johnell Davis’ 18.2 points per game and center Vladislav Goldin’s presence in the paint.

Defensively, the Wildcats have had their struggles, particularly with perimeter defense, allowing opponents to shoot nearly 36% from three-point range. This could be an area of concern as they face an FAU squad that is not only efficient from the three-point line but also has a balanced offensive attack. The Owls’ ability to get efficient shots from both inside and outside will challenge Northwestern’s defense, which will need to step up if they hope to contain FAU’s multifaceted scorers.

The key player matchup to watch will be between Northwestern’s Boo Buie and FAU’s Johnell Davis. Both guards are the leading scorers for their respective teams and have the ability to change the game’s momentum. As Northwestern aims to leverage their three-point shooting and FAU looks to exploit their offensive depth and experience, this game could come down to which team better executes their game plan and adjusts on the fly to the unfolding dynamics on the court.

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Pick

The Northwestern Wildcats enter this matchup with a significant edge in three-point shooting, a critical factor in today’s college basketball landscape. Their 39.4% accuracy from beyond the arc, led by Boo Buie’s sharpshooting, positions them to exploit FAU’s defensive vulnerability against the three-point shot. Despite the Owls’ offensive prowess, Northwestern’s ability to stretch the floor and connect from deep could be the deciding factor, especially in a high-stakes tournament setting where long-range shooting often swings momentum. Additionally, the Wildcats’ recent against-the-spread (ATS) performance on the road (8-4) suggests they are comfortable in away settings, which bodes well for their confidence and execution in a neutral venue like the Barclays Center.

While FAU has an impressive home record and a balanced attack, Northwestern’s recent experience against top-tier Big Ten competition has battle-tested them for this moment. The Wildcats’ resilience in close games and their ability to maintain a strong ATS record (18-13) this season indicates a team that knows how to cover and, more importantly, how to win in tight situations. Given the favorable moneyline odds for Northwestern and their potential to capitalize on FAU’s defensive lapses, the smart bet is on the Wildcats to secure a victory and advance in the tournament.

The Pick: Northwestern Wildcats +154 (DraftKings)