Thursday night’s Michigan State vs Northwestern game is not exactly going to be the most-watched college basketball matchup of the night, but it’s going to have some interesting storylines.
On one side, you have a Northwestern team fresh off a home loss to lowly Minnesota. Chris Collins has been one of the best coaches in the Big Ten for years, however, and his teams have gotten the better of Tom Izzo and the Spartans before — even in East Lansing. The Wildcats in 2025-26 are just 8-6, though, with an 0-3 Big Ten record.
On the other side, Michigan State is 13-2 and 3-1 in the Big Ten. The Spartans are playing some of the best basketball in the country and Izzo feels like he has another Big Ten title-caliber squad. Turnovers have been an issue lately, however.
Still, Michigan State just bounced back from its first Big Ten loss to beat a solid USC team by 29 without playing their best game.
Now, the Spartans will host Northwestern which has the top scorer in the Big Ten in Nick Martinelli. He’s averaging 23 points per game and is shooting an astounding 58 percent from the floor. It’s a good thing Michigan State has one of the best defenses in college basketball.
Betting odds for Michigan State vs Northwestern
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of Thursday, Jan. 8.
Line: Michigan State -12.5
Over/Under: 142.5
Moneyline: Michigan State -1000 | Northwestern +650
Beating Northwestern won’t be easy because it never truly is, but the Wildcats rely heavily on Martinelli, and when he’s off, the team struggles. If Michigan State can hold him under 15 points, which I believe it will, the Spartans are going to win this one by a healthy margin.
Plus, it’s Izzone alumni day (part two), and the Spartans almost always cover when the former students are in the lower bowl. All they need is a Coen Carr dunk or two to blow the roof off, and Northwestern will never be able to mentally recover — let alone hear each other.
I’m going with Michigan State to cover.
Prediction: Northwestern 54, Michigan State 74