Washington St. Cougars vs
Northern Iowa PanthersPredictions & Preview

Washington State Favored to Win in Non-Conference Showdown Against Northern Iowa at Holiday Hoops Classic

This content provides a preview of a non-conference college basketball matchup between Washington State and Northern Iowa happening at the Orleans Arena as part of the Holiday Hoops Classic. Washington State is coming off a loss to Washington while Northern Iowa secured a win against Montana. The Panthers previously defeated the Cougars in a game in 2015. Washington State is favored to win by 3.5 points according to the current betting line.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cougars -160 | Panthers +140
• Spread: Cougars -3.5 (-110) | Panthers +3.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 148.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Washington St. will win straight-up is 62%.

Washington St. vs Northern Iowa Stats

Washington St. Cougars

Washington State had been on a winning streak before their recent loss to Washington on the road. Despite leading early in the game, they were unable to maintain their lead and ultimately fell to their opponent. The team is still adjusting to their new conference and currently holds a record of 9-3. Nate Calmese led the Cougars with 21 points in the loss. The team is averaging 81.3 points per game, ranking 66th in the nation in scoring offense. They are also solid in rebounding and assists but struggle defensively, giving up an average of 75.2 points per game. Several players contribute to the team's offensive success, including Cedric Coward and Dane Erikstrup. Coward is currently out due to injury, along with other players on the team. Washington State shoots well from the field, three-point range, and free-throw line. Their power ranking is 4, and their offense is ranked 147th while their defense is ranked 67th. The team has a winning record of 6-4 this season.

Northern Iowa Panthers Analysis

Northern Iowa continued their winning streak with a convincing victory over Montana, improving their record to 7-4 overall and 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Panthers dominated the game, leading by as many as 34 points and shooting 69% from the field. Leon Bond II led the team with 37 points in the win. Northern Iowa is averaging 78.9 points per game this season and has been strong defensively, allowing an average of 65.5 points per game. Jacob Hutson is the team's leading scorer, averaging 13.8 points per game, with Tytan Anderson and Ben Schweiger as reliable secondary scoring options. The Panthers lead the nation in field goal percentage and are second in three-point shooting. Their next matchup is against Washington State, who have a power ranking of 161 and are averaging 81.33 points per game while allowing 75.17 points per game.

Northern Iowa Dominating Opponents with Strong Defense and Efficient Shooting

Northern Iowa has been performing impressively as of late, securing victories in their past four games by margins of at least 20 points and surpassing the 100-point threshold on two occasions within that timeframe. The Panthers showcase a strong defensive presence and boast efficient shooting capabilities. Conversely, Washington State may face challenges as they have encountered difficulties in preventing their opponents from scoring, allowing at least 73 points in eight games this season. With their sharpshooting prowess, Northern Iowa is poised to secure a fifth consecutive win against the Cougars in this upcoming matchup.

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