The Penn State Nittany Lions (12-11) will compete against the Northwestern Wildcats (16-7) in an intense Big Ten matchup on Sunday, February 11 at 1:00 PM ET at the Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois. The Wildcats are looking good at home for this matchup, as they have a point spread coming in at -8.5 (-110).

The Nittany Lions are 3-2 in their last five games, but have been successful in winning their last three straight. Their most recent win was an 89-79 performance over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Kanye Clary is leading their offense with 17.9 points per game. In the process, he is shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 80.6 from the foul line. Setting the tone early will be huge for him.

The Nittany Lions maintain an average score of 76.5 points, boasting a 44.1 percent success rate in field goals. Their teamwork is highlighted by 12.4 assists per game, reflecting effective ball movement for promising scoring opportunities.

Defensively, they allow 73.5 points, indicating a favorable point differential compared to their offensive performance. Other noteworthy statistics encompass 31.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 9.1 steals per game.

The Wildcats have also gone 3-2 in their last five games, but were able to get back on track to end their two-game losing skid. This recent win was an 80-68 performance over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Boo Buie leads the Wildcats with 19.9 points per game and 5.4 rebounds. He is also shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 83.0 percent from the foul line. Getting a good start will be key to them winning this game and covering the spread.

The Wildcats consistently achieve an average score of 75.2 points, boasting an impressive shooting accuracy of 47.3 percent. Their ball movement, evident in an average of 16.4 assists per game, significantly contributes to their offensive prowess.

Defensively, they limit opponents to an average of 70.0 points, showcasing a strong margin of victory. Moreover, they maintain averages of 30.4 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 7.5 steals per game, showcasing their multifaceted ability to disrupt opposing teams.

MyBookie offers the betting odds for the college basketball showdown, favoring the Northwestern Wildcats by 8.5 points. Market insights suggest an 81.4 percent probability of the Wildcats winning at home. 

The Nittany Lions have a razor thin margin for error as they approach this battle. Their inconsistency on both ends of the floor do not bode well for their chances at success. Expect the Wildcats to regain momentum with solid performance on both offense and defense.