Butler Edges Northwestern in Close Contest
Saturday, December 20, 2025, 4:00 PM ET · Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Butler Bulldogs 61, Northwestern Wildcats 58, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Northwestern Wildcats vs Butler Bulldogs?
Butler Bulldogs beat Northwestern Wildcats 61-58 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 20, 2025.
Who was favored in Northwestern Wildcats vs Butler Bulldogs?
Butler Bulldogs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -192 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested game, the Butler Bulldogs secured a narrow victory over the Northwestern Wildcats, finishing with a score of 61-58 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This matchup was particularly intriguing as it featured two teams with contrasting recent forms, adding to the excitement of the fixture.
Butler entered the game with a home record of 9-3 and had been performing solidly, although they faced a setback with a loss to the UConn Huskies just days prior, resulting in a current streak of one loss. Over their last ten games, Butler recorded a record of 7-3, scoring an impressive average of 87.3 points while allowing 78.1. Their last five games reflected a slight dip, with a record of 3-2 and an average of 83.8 points scored against 80.6 allowed.
On the other hand, Northwestern came into the game with a record of 7-5. They had been on a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated Valparaiso and Jackson State, scoring an average of 83.9 points while allowing 73.4 over their last ten games. However, their away record stood at 1-2, indicating challenges when playing outside their home venue.
In terms of previous meetings, this was the second encounter between the two teams in the current season, with Butler having won the first matchup 71-69 on November 29, 2024. This prior victory may have added to Butler's confidence heading into this game.
Injury-wise, the block does not mention any specific players missing from either side, suggesting both teams were at full strength for this crucial matchup. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Butler favored with a spread of -3.5, indicating expectations of a close game. The total points line was set at 154.5, reflecting an anticipated high-scoring affair, although the final score fell well below this mark.
Conditions at Gainbridge Fieldhouse were likely conducive to a competitive game, as both teams aimed to assert their presence in the NCAAB landscape. The close scoreline indicates that viewers witnessed a back-and-forth contest, with both teams exchanging leads and fighting hard for every point.
Key moments in the second half included several scoring plays that showcased the intensity of the matchup. Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor made crucial free throws to bring Northwestern within striking distance, while Butler's Michael Ajayi and Evan Haywood contributed vital baskets to maintain their lead. The game culminated in a nail-biting finish, with Butler managing to hold off Northwestern's late attempts to equalize.
Overall, this game highlighted the competitiveness of both teams and the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where every possession counts and outcomes can hinge on a few critical plays.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BTLR -3.5 | 154.5 o -105 / u -115 | Northwestern Wildcats +160 · Butler Bulldogs -192 |
Leaders
- PointsMichael Ajayi19Butler Bulldogs
- AssistsMichael Ajayi2Butler Bulldogs
- ReboundsMichael Ajayi20Butler Bulldogs
- PointsJayden Reid14Northwestern Wildcats
- AssistsJayden Reid6Northwestern Wildcats
- ReboundsMax Green6Northwestern Wildcats
Recent form
Butler Bulldogs
Last 10: 7-3Streak L187.3 scored · 78.1 allowed per game5-1 at home
- L60-79at UConn HuskiesDec 17
- W113-110vs Providence FriarsDec 13
- L68-77vs Boise State BroncosDec 6
- W84-68vs Eastern Michigan EaglesDec 3
- W94-69vs Wright State RaidersNov 28
- W80-73at Virginia CavaliersNov 23
- W79-72at South Carolina GamecocksNov 21
- L85-87at SMU MustangsNov 15
- W98-66vs Chicago State CougarsNov 12
- W112-80vs IU Indianapolis JaguarsNov 8
Northwestern Wildcats
Last 10: 6-4Streak W283.9 scored · 73.4 allowed per game1-2 away
- W86-70vs Valparaiso BeaconsDec 17
- W93-53vs Jackson State TigersDec 13
- L82-86vs Ohio State BuckeyesDec 6
- L73-85at Wisconsin BadgersDec 4
- L81-86vs Oklahoma State CowboysNov 28
- W79-77vs South Carolina GamecocksNov 23
- L78-83at Virginia CavaliersNov 21
- W81-79at DePaul Blue DemonsNov 15
- W110-63vs Cleveland State VikingsNov 11
- W76-52vs Boston University TerriersNov 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 37-3 | - | 19-1 |
| Nebraska | 28-7 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State | 27-8 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Illinois | 28-9 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin | 24-11 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Purdue | 30-9 | 6 | 13-7 |
| UCLA | 24-12 | 6 | 13-7 |
| Ohio State | 21-13 | 7 | 12-8 |
| Iowa | 24-13 | 9 | 10-10 |
| Indiana | 18-14 | 10 | 9-11 |
| Minnesota | 15-18 | 11 | 8-12 |
| USC | 18-14 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Washington | 16-17 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Rutgers | 14-20 | 13 | 6-14 |
| Northwestern | 15-19 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Oregon | 12-20 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Maryland | 12-21 | 15 | 4-16 |
| Penn State | 12-20 | 16 | 3-17 |
| St. John's | 30-7 | - | 18-2 |
| UConn | 34-6 | 1 | 17-3 |
| Villanova | 24-9 | 3 | 15-5 |
| Seton Hall | 21-12 | 8 | 10-10 |
| Creighton | 16-18 | 9 | 9-11 |
| DePaul | 16-16 | 10 | 8-12 |
| Butler | 16-16 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Providence | 15-18 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Marquette | 12-20 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Georgetown | 16-18 | 12 | 6-14 |
| Xavier | 15-18 | 12 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Northwestern Wildcats | Butler Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-64 | 22-58 |
| Field goal % | 36 | 38 |
| Three-pointers | 4-23 | 7-30 |
| Three-point % | 17 | 23 |
| Free throws | 8-9 | 10-14 |
| Free throw % | 89 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 41 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 28 |
| Assists | 18 | 12 |
| Steals | 3 | 7 |
| Blocks | 4 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 5 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 28 |
| Fouls | 16 | 11 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 4 | 85 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half23-27K.J. Windham makes 28-foot three point jumper (Tre Singleton assists)
- 1st Half23-28Michael Ajayi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half23-29Michael Ajayi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half25-29Angelo Ciaravino makes 7-foot pullup jump shot (Jordan Clayton assists)
- 2nd Half25-32Finley Bizjack makes 28-foot three point jumper (Michael Ajayi assists)
- 2nd Half25-34Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes layup (Azavier Robinson assists)
- 2nd Half25-36Azavier Robinson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half27-36Arrinten Page makes 1-foot dunk (Angelo Ciaravino assists)
- 2nd Half27-38Azavier Robinson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half30-38Jayden Reid makes 24-foot three point jumper (Arrinten Page assists)
- 2nd Half30-40Michael Ajayi makes layup (Azavier Robinson assists)
- 2nd Half32-40Tre Singleton makes 22-foot jumper (Jayden Reid assists)
- 2nd Half32-42Michael Ajayi makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half34-42Tre Singleton makes layup
- 2nd Half34-44Michael Ajayi makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half36-44Jayden Reid makes driving layup (Max Green assists)
- 2nd Half37-44Jayden Reid makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half38-44Tyler Kropp makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half39-44Tyler Kropp makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-47Evan Haywood makes 23-foot three point jumper (Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor assists)
- 2nd Half41-47Jake West makes layup
- 2nd Half41-49Michael Ajayi makes 2-foot dunk (Yame Butler assists)
- 2nd Half43-49Angelo Ciaravino makes driving layup (Tre Singleton assists)
- 2nd Half44-49Angelo Ciaravino makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half44-50Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-51Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half46-51Angelo Ciaravino makes driving layup (Jayden Reid assists)
- 2nd Half46-52Michael Ajayi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-55Finley Bizjack makes 27-foot three point jumper (Michael Ajayi assists)
- 2nd Half49-55Jordan Clayton makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jayden Reid assists)
- 2nd Half51-55Max Green makes driving layup (Jayden Reid assists)
- 2nd Half53-55Jayden Reid makes driving layup (Tre Singleton assists)
- 2nd Half53-56Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-57Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-57Arrinten Page makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-57Arrinten Page makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half56-59Michael Ajayi makes layup (Drayton Jones assists)
- 2nd Half58-59Tre Singleton makes 21-foot jumper (Jayden Reid assists)
- 2nd Half58-60Evan Haywood makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-61Evan Haywood makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Butler Bulldogs, below favours Northwestern Wildcats.
Venue
- Gainbridge FieldhouseIndianapolis, IN
- Attendance16912
- OfficialsTim Clougherty, Earl Walton, Keith Kimble
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond