The Wildcats of Northwestern hit the hard court in the NIT's second round against the Eagles of Boston College Saturday, with a stake in the tournament's final four at stake.

The Eagles routed McNeese State, while the Wildcats defeated Milwaukee-Wisconsin. The Sportsbook advances to the region 3 final. BC is favored by 5 at Sportsbook while the total sat at 142½.



View Northwestern vs Boston College Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Eagles - Wildcats odds would favor the Eagles if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Boston College is rated No. 178 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Northwestern is at No. 217. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 74-73 win for the Wildcats.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Boston College's No. 85 nationally ranked offense (71.9 points per game) against a Wildcats defense that sits as the No. 172 at 67.7 PPG. The Eagles have been averaging 46.1% from the field, more than the Wildcats have managed so far this season (44.9% on average).

Defensively, Northwestern features the nation's No. 260-rated defense on the road, allowing 74.1 points per game. Boston College, meanwhile, comes in at No. 68 nationally in scoring at home.

Northwestern was a 70-61 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Wisc-Milwaukee. They failed to cover the 9.5–point spread as favorites. John Shurna went off for 25 points and added 8 rebounds, leading Northwestern over Wisc-Milwaukee, 70-61, on Wednesday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Boston College won its last outing, an 82-64 result against McNeese State on March 15. They covered in that game as a 5-point favorite. The Eagles got 22 points from Reggie Jackson as Boston College ran past McNeese State 82-64 on Tuesday at Burton Coliseum.


Northwestern Wildcats Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
After playing Wisc-Milwaukee are 0-1
After a win are 4-6

Boston College Eagles Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

A few Wildcats at Eagles trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Northwestern's last 12 games on the road
Northwestern is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Northwestern is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Boston College is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Boston College is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston College's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston College's last 7 games at home