Northwestern Basketball Odds
You can now place bets on Northwestern basketball in Illinois thanks to the legalization of in-state college betting through House Bill 3136.
The Northwestern Wildcats are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2020 season with a 9-15 overall record and 6-13 in conference play. Under the leadership of Chris Collins, entering his eighth season as head coach, the Wildcats are looking to make strides in the competitive Big Ten Conference as a Power 5 team.
How to Bet on Northwestern in Illinois
At Illinois sportsbook locations, you are limited to betting on in-state college teams, but you can place bets on out-of-state college teams online. Follow these steps to begin betting:
- To begin, download a sports betting app for Illinois and create an account. During the setup process, you will need to input your name, email, and the last four digits of your Social Security number as requested by the app.
- To ensure you do not miss out on any bonus bets or bonuses, be sure to deposit funds using any of the available methods in the legal sportsbook app. In Illinois, deposit options include debit or credit card, ACH, e-check, and PayPal. Another option is to make a deposit in person at a casino in Illinois.
- Lastly, head to the retail sportsbook to wager on a college team hailing from Illinois, like the Northwestern Wildcats.
Closest retail sportsbooks to Evanston
Below are some nearby sportsbooks close to Evanston, IL, where the Northwestern campus is situated. PointsBet Sportsbook at Hawthorne Race Course is just a quick drive away from Evanston, and BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is approximately 30 minutes away.
| Online sportsbook | Casino/OTB | Address | Distance from Evanston |
|---|---|---|---|
| PointsBet | Player’s Pub & Grill | 1250 S. River Road, Prospect Heights | 28 miles |
| BetRivers | Rivers Casino | 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines | 32 miles |
| Caesars by William Hill | Grand Victoria Casino | 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin | 40 miles |
| PointsBet | Club Hawthorne Crestwood | 13148 Rivercrest Drive, Crestwood | 43 miles |
| Barstool | Hollywood Aurora | 1 W. New York St., Aurora | 48 miles |
| PointsBet | Hawthorne Race Course | 3501 S. Laramie Ave., Stickney | 49 miles |
| FanDuel | FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing | 9301 Collinsville Road, Collinsville | 300 miles |
| DraftKings | DraftKings at Casino Queen | 200 S. Front St., East St. Louis | 307 miles |
Northwestern Betting Lines Explained
There are several options for betting on Northwestern Wildcats basketball, including wagering on the spread, moneyline, and over/under total points.
Northwestern spread bets
In order for a bet on Northwestern to cover the spread of 5.5 points against Maryland, the Wildcats would need to win by at least six points. If they won by exactly nine points, the bet would be considered a “push” and the bettor would receive their full wager back. A spread bet is represented by the following format:
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Maryland Terrapins | -5.5 (-110) |
| Northwestern | +5.5 (-110) |
Northwestern moneyline bet
Placing a moneyline bet is essentially choosing the outright winner in a fancy manner. Although betting on the favorite can yield profits, the real value lies in betting on the underdog. The underdog is usually listed as having “plus” odds. A moneyline bet is represented by a specific format, such as:
| Team | Moneyline odds to win |
|---|---|
| Maryland Terrapins | -220 |
| Northwestern | +180 |
Northwestern over/under odds
Another popular bet is choosing whether the total points scored in the game between the two teams will be over or under a certain number. For instance, if a bettor places a bet on the total going over 135.5 points, both teams would need to score a minimum of 136 points for the bettor to win the bet. For example:
| Team | Total |
|---|---|
| Maryland Terrapins | O 135.5 (-110) |
| Northwestern | U 135.5 (-110) |
Some sportsbooks provide the option to bet on the total number of points scored by a specific team. For example, if a sportsbook sets Northwestern’s total points at 62.5, a bettor can wager on whether Northwestern will score more or less than that total.
Northwestern has not been involved in any major March Madness upsets, as the team has only secured one NCAA Tournament victory in its history.
Northwestern futures bets
A futures bet is a long-term wager on a team that can take weeks or months to determine if the bet will be successful, much like a stock market investment. For example, if a bettor places a $100 future bet at +1800 odds, they could potentially see the value of their bet increase or decrease depending on the team’s success. While the original bettor is locked in at their initial odds, other bettors may receive better or worse odds as the season progresses.
If someone bets $100 on Northwestern to win the Big Ten Tournament at odds of +1800, they would win $1,800 if Northwestern ends up winning the tournament.
Why We Can Bet on IL College Teams Finally
Online sports betting in Illinois has been active, but betting on in-state college teams was not allowed until the passage of HB 3136. Now, sports bettors can wager on Illinois colleges, universities, and other programs playing against Illinois schools that day. However, in-person betting is required as mobile wagering is not permitted.
Northwestern Home Games
The Wildcats basketball team primarily competes at the recently refurbished Welsh Ryan Arena for their home games, but they also occasionally play at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
- Owner: Northwestern University
- Capacity: 8,117
- Opened on December 6, 1952.
- The construction cost was $1.25 million, with renovations in 2020 totaling $12.2 million.
- Surface: Hardwood
- Other events include men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and men’s wrestling at Northwestern University.
Tickets for events at Welsh Ryan Arena can be purchased on Northwestern University’s website.
Northwestern requires face coverings for individuals over 2 years old and all event attendees must show proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. Antigen tests can be obtained at Jacobs Center in Evanston or 245 E. Superior St., Chicago during the workweek.
How to Listen to Northwestern Wildcat Games
Wildcat fans have the option to tune into games on NUSports.com through Studio N Productions, or listen on WGN Radio 720.
How to Watch Northwestern Games
Northwestern basketball can be seen on a variety of networks, with most conference games airing on the Big Ten Network. Nonconference matchups can be watched on ESPN networks, such as ESPN+. Additional coverage can be found on Fox Sports and CBS Sports Network.
Where to Watch the Wildcats Near Evanston
Mullen’s Sports Bar and Grill
- Address: 7301 Western Ave.
- We are open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays through Sundays, and from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturdays.
Mullen’s offers a welcoming ambiance and a diverse menu that includes brunch, dinner, and late-night options. In addition to delicious food, the sports bar features billiards, darts, and other games for guests to enjoy.
Ten Mile House
- Address: 1700 Central St.
- Our operating hours are as follows: <br>- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.<br>- Fridays: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.<br>- Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.<br>- Sundays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ten Mile House is the perfect spot to catch the game and sample some of the best local beers in town if you’re only in town for a night. They are renowned for their wide selection of local beers on tap.
Bluestone
- Address: 1932 Central St.
- The establishment’s hours of operation are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Bluestone is the perfect spot for enjoying classic American cuisine and drinks with friends, offering a menu and atmosphere that fit the bill.
How Did Northwestern Do Last Year?
Northwestern had a tough season last year, finishing with a 9-15 overall record. Despite a promising 4-1 start, including impressive wins over Michigan State and Ohio State, the Wildcats struggled during the middle of the season. They ended the regular season on a high note with a three-game win streak, but ultimately fell to Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
The Last Time the Wildcats …
- Northwestern secured a spot in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, marking their sole appearance in the tournament to date.
- The Wildcats have competed in the NIT seven times, with their latest appearance occurring in 2012.
- The Big Ten Conference Regular Season Championship was claimed in 1933.
Historic Facts
- Northwestern secured their only win in the NCAA Tournament with a close 68-66 victory over Vanderbilt.
- The Wildcats have a total of 1,092 wins, 1,521 losses, and 1 tie in their all-time record.
- Arthur Lonborg, who accumulated 236 victories, was the final coach at Northwestern to have a winning record. He held the position from 1927 to 1950 and concluded his tenure with a head coaching record of 236-203-1.
- During his time with the program from 2009-12, John Shurna amassed a total of 2,038 points, making him the all-time leader in career points.
- On December 19, 1966, Northwestern achieved their highest single-game scoring record of 121 points against Tulane.
- During the 2017 campaign, Northwestern achieved their highest number of victories in a season, with a total of 24 wins.
- During the 1931 season, a record was set for the most consecutive road wins with a total of seven victories in a row.
Notable Sports Media Personalities
Medill, Northwestern’s prestigious journalism school, is known for producing top-notch talent in the field. Several well-known sports personalities have graduated from Northwestern, making it a popular choice for aspiring journalists. Here are just a few notable Wildcats.
- Mike Greenberg
- Michael Wilbon
- Rachel Nichols
- J.A. Adande
- Stewart Mandel
- Christine Brennan
- Rich Eisen
- Jon Heyman
- Darren Rovell