The Northwestern Wildcats are the Cinderella of the Big Ten tournament, winning their first two games to set up a showdown with the Purdue Boilermakers.
The Wildcats have played their best basketball in recent outings, closing out the regular season with strong showings and scoring convincing wins over Penn State and Indiana the past two days.
A big part of that late-season push is the improved play of freshman guard Jake West. He’s seen a spike in minutes since early February and is coming off an 18-point effort Wednesday, including shooting 2-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Our Northwestern vs. Purdue predictions read into the game script, with the Boilermakers set as sizable favorites, and my college basketball picks see West trying to keep the Wildcats close from beyond the arc.
Northwestern vs Purdue prediction
Northwestern vs Purdue best bet
Northwestern vs Purdue best bet: Jake West Over 1.5 3-pointers (+135)
Jake West has enjoyed an uptick in floor time, doing most of his work from beyond the arc.
Over his last 10 games for the Northwestern Wildcats, he’s attempted at least three triples and has made two or more 3-pointers in four of his last six outings.
He missed the matchup with the Purdue Boilermakers on March 4 (ankle) but now faces a rival that fails to protect the perimeter.
Purdue’s foes fire at a high rate from distance and with Northwestern pegged as a 12-point underdog, a trailing team will look to West’s shooting to close the gap.
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Northwestern vs Purdue same-game parlay
The Boilermakers had a tough time with the Wildcats earlier this month but their fresh legs will overcome a gassed Northwestern squad playing its third game in as many days. Game models give the nod to Purdue by double digits.
West knocked down two 3-pointers versus Indiana and with Purdue’s size clamping down on Nick Martinelli, the freshman will have plenty of space on the perimeter to let it fly. The Boilermakers watch opponents launch 26 3PA per game.
Martinelli is a handful, so the Boilermakers will sell out on stopping him. He’s dished out three assists in both tournament games and had three assists versus Purdue on March 4.
Northwestern vs Purdue SGP
- Purdue moneyline
- Jake West Over 1.5 3-pointers
- Nick Martinelli Over 1.5 assists
Our beyond the arc SGP: The Cats Came Back
Purdue hasn’t been at its best in the home stretch and game models have NU losing but staying within this sizable spread while also topping the total with projections as high as 147 points.
Northwestern vs Purdue SGP
- Northwestern +12
- Over 141
- Jake West Over 1.5 3-pointers
- Nick Martinelli Over 1.5 assists
Northwestern vs Purdue odds
- Spread: Northwestern +12 | Purdue -12
- Moneyline: Northwestern +600 | Purdue -900
- Over/Under: Over 141 | Under 141
Northwestern vs Purdue betting trend to know
Purdue has gone Over the total in 13 of its last 19 games (+6.40 Units/31% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Northwestern vs. Purdue.
How to watch Northwestern vs Purdue
| Location | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Thursday, March 12, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 6:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | BTN |
Northwestern vs Purdue 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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