FAU led the AAC in scoring (82.5 PPG) and field goal percentage (48.1%)
Northwestern has victories over Purdue, Dayton, Michigan State, and Illinois
Boo Buie is making 44.3% of his three-point attempts
After a miraculous Final Four run last season, the Florida Atlantic Owls are back in the NCAA Tournament. While their seed is higher than last year, they are coming off a disappointing season that saw them lose the AAC regular and tournament titles. Now, they’ll have to face a battle-tested Northwestern team that could cap off a disappointing season.
Below, we will share the latest odds and insights for today’s matchup and our favorite bet.
If you want to get in on the action today, don’t forget to claim a sportsbook promo! Signing up with a new online sportsbook to bet on FAU vs. Northwestern can land you Bonus Bets to help boost your bankroll. Below are some of our favorite March Madness welcome bonuses, but you can read our sportsbook reviews for more information.
Sportsbook | Welcome Offer | Promo Code | Sign-Up Here |
---|---|---|---|
DraftKings Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | No Code Necessary | Claim Now |
FanDuel Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | No Code Necessary | Claim Now |
BetMGM | Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets | WSNMGM | Claim Now |
Caesars Sportsbook | $1,000 First Bet | WSN1000 | Claim Now |
bet365 | $1,00 First Bet Safety Net or Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | WSN365 | Claim Now |
The Owls came into this season with a lot of hype after their Final Four appearance. Unfortunately, that hype did not translate into the same level of success this year. Some of that can be attributed to a move to the AAC, but the team still lacks the same edge they had last year.
FAU’s biggest strength is their ability to score. They led the AAC in scoring (82.5 PPG) and field goal percentage (48.1%). However, they have been less impressive on defense, finishing fifth in opponent scoring. The AAC had some high-scoring programs, but none were good enough to secure an at-large bid to the tournament.
While FAU has wins against Arizona and Texas A&M on neutral courts, but they struggled in AAC road games. They dropped road games to Charlotte, UAB, South Florida, Memphis, and a neutral-court game to Temple. Those losses are far more recent than their impressive non-conference wins, raising a red flag for their momentum coming into March Madness.
While Northwestern’s record and states don’t jump off the page, their tournament resume is impressive. They finished in fourth in a competitive Big Ten, while posting four wins against quadrant one teams. That includes victories over Purdue, Dayton, Michigan State, and Illinois. While consistency hasn’t been their strong suit, their veteran roster makes them a dangerous threat in March Madness.
One reason we like Northwestern to get the win is guard Boo Buie. The fifth-year senior is having his best campaign yet, leading the team in scoring (19.2 PPG), assists (5.1 APG), and three-point percentage (44.3%). A veteran guard who can shoot that effectively from deep is a massive weapon in the NCAA Tournament, and we see it leading to a win today.
If there is one red flag for Northwestern, it's their +4.6 point differential. It's a sign that this team was hard to trust during the regular season, and it may be enough to scare bettors away today.
We have been following the AAC closely this season, and we don’t trust the Owls. They struggled in games against the conference’s top teams, and Northwestern will present far more of a challenge. While FAU has experience from last season’s run, Northwestern has a team filled with veterans. While they have come confusing losses, but their wins show a high ceiling for the Wildcats.
Given how well Buie has been playing, we think he will torch a shaky FAU offense, leading the Wildcats to a first-round upset.
When: Thursday, March 21 at 9:55 PM EST
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
TV: CBS
Streaming: March Madness Live App, MAX
If you or someone you know needs support or wants to speak with a professional about responsible gambling, seek out the correct resources. Call 1-800-GAMBLER to get help, or visit www.1800gambler.net for more information. WSN is an advocate for safe gambling practices.
Best College Basketball Bets Today: NCAAB Picks for December 3
1 day ago | Andrew NortonNCAAB Picks Against the Spread: CBB Teams to Target This Week
2 days ago | Andrew NortonBest College Basketball Bets Today: NCAAB Picks for November 27
1 week ago | Andrew Norton
We support responsible gambling. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you need help, call
1-800-Gambler.
WSN.com is managed by Gentoo Media. Unless declared otherwise, all of the visible content on this site, such
as texts and images, including the brand name and logo, belongs to Innovation Labs Limited (a Gentoo Media
company) - Company Registration Number C44130, VAT ID: MT18874732, @GIG Beach Triq id-Dragunara, St.
Julians, STJ3148, Malta.
Advertising Disclosure: WSN.com contains links to partner websites. When a visitor to our website clicks on
one of these links and makes a purchase at a partner site, World Sports Network is paid a commission.
Copyright © 2024