The Northwestern Wildcats (6-3) welcome the DePaul Blue Demons (5-1) to Welsh-Ryan Arena as they look to prolong their five-game home winning streak. The game gets underway at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 8, 2018.
DePaul Blue Demons at Northwestern Wildcats Free Prediction
In the Blue Demons’ last matchup, they dismantled the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, 80-58. The Blue Demons had a much better free throw rate (0.386 vs. 0.097) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (52.8 vs. 40.5). DePaul rallied around Max Strus, who was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
Northwestern easily got past the New Orleans Privateers in their last game, 82-52. The Wildcats had a much better turnover percentage (11.2 vs. 20.4) and had a much better free throw rate (0.350 vs. 0.204). With 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, Vic Law played well for Northwestern.
Northwestern appears to have the edge on the defensive side of the ball. Since the 2017-18 season, the Wildcats rank 64th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.499), while DePaul is 301st in effective field goal percentage (0.484). Furthermore, the Blue Demons, who rank 47th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.6 percent), will face a difficult test against Northwestern, who ranks 35th in defensive rebounding percentage (73.2 percent).
The Wildcats won the only contest against the Blue Demons last season, 62-60. Northwestern’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Blue Demons. Northwestern had a rate of 34.2, while DePaul posted a mark of 30.0.
DePaul Blue Demons vs. Northwestern Wildcats Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Northwestern, ATS Winner – Northwestern, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Northwestern ranks seventh in three pointers allowed per game (19.2) while DePaul ranks 260th (25.0).
The Wildcats rank 31st in assists allowed per game (13.1) while the Blue Demons rank 225th (14.5).
Northwestern ranks 11th in rebounds allowed per game (32.1) while DePaul ranks 141st (34.6).
Northwestern averages 5.1 steals per game, which ranks 170th in the NCAA. The Blue Demons rank 209th in steals allowed per game (6.9).
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