The Iowa Hawkeyes will look to run their winning streak to six games and make their case as a top 25 team when they host the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday afternoon.
The Hawkeyes have been playing to the Over all season long, and I’m backing that trend to continue in my Northwestern vs. Iowa predictions.
Keep reading to see a full breakdown of this Big Ten matchup in my free college basketball picks for Sunday, February 8.
Northwestern vs Iowa prediction
Northwestern vs Iowa best bet: Over 138.5 (-110)
The Iowa Hawkeyes rank among the slowest teams in the country when it comes to most pace metrics, but you wouldn’t know that based on how their scoreboards have looked this season.
The Over is 14-8 overall when the Hawkeyes have played this year, and they are averaging 141.7 ppg — most of which has come on the offensive end.
The Northwestern Wildcats haven’t had nearly as successful a season as Iowa, but they are also playing to big totals despite rarely deciding to push the pace. The Wildcats are averaging a total of 147.7 ppg, and that number hasn’t been getting any lower now that they’re into conference play.
Their defense has been a bit exposed against Big Ten opponents, as they’ve allowed 70+ points in nine of their last 10 games, with opponents getting to the 75+ point threshold in seven of those outings.
The highly efficient Iowa offense should be able to take advantage of that. The Hawkeyes are coming off two straight 84-point performances against the Washington Huskies and Oregon Ducks, and the Huskies aren’t going to present a tougher defensive puzzle to solve than those teams.
Instead, it’s Washington that may well have trouble handling Bennett Stirtz, who has been on a scoring binge, averaging 24.2 ppg over his last five games.
Northwestern may not put up all that many points against Iowa, but with the Hawkeyes ready to light up the scoreboard in this one, it should hardly matter.
I’m backing the Over in a game that I see going well Over the total.
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Northwestern vs Iowa same-game parlay
The Hawkeyes may be the second-best team in Iowa, but this is a formidable squad that is far better than Northwestern on both sides of the ball, and they should cover even this significant spread at home.
As a part of that effort, I like senior Bennett Stirtz (19.2 ppg) to hit his scoring total, as he’s gone for at least 20 points in each of his last five games and has gotten 22+ in three of those contests.
Northwestern vs Iowa SGP
- Over 138.5
- Iowa -12
- Bennett Stirtz Over 20.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Coop!
Cooper Koch has hit two threes in each of his last two games, with the freshman shooting 40.4% from deep so far in his young career.
Northwestern vs Iowa SGP
- Over 138.5
- Iowa -12
- Bennett Stirtz Over 20.5 points
- Cooper Koch Over 1.5 made threes
Northwestern vs Iowa odds
- Spread: Northwestern +13.5 (-110) | Iowa -13.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Northwestern +613 | Iowa -900
- Over/Under: Over 141 (-110) | Under 141 (-110)
Northwestern vs Iowa betting trend to know
The Over is 6-2 in Iowa’s last eight games overall. Find more college basketball betting trends for Northwestern vs. Iowa.
How to watch Northwestern vs Iowa
| Location | Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA |
| Date | Sunday, February 8, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
Northwestern vs Iowa key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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