Northwestern Wildcats Defeat Penn State Nittany Lions 76-66
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · United Center
Northwestern Wildcats 76, Penn State Nittany Lions 66, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Penn State Nittany Lions vs Northwestern Wildcats?
Northwestern Wildcats beat Penn State Nittany Lions 76-66 at United Center on March 10, 2026.
Who was favored in Penn State Nittany Lions vs Northwestern Wildcats?
Northwestern Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -238 (about 70% implied). The favorite won.
The Northwestern Wildcats secured a 76-66 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in a matchup that showcased the Wildcats' ability to rebound from recent struggles. This win comes as Northwestern has been navigating a challenging stretch, with a record of 14-18 overall and a recent form of 3-7 in their last ten games, including a two-game losing streak prior to this contest. The Wildcats averaged 64.5 points scored and 73.2 points allowed during this stretch, indicating a need for improved defense, which they managed to address in this game.
On the other side, the Penn State Nittany Lions ended their season with a 12-20 record, also struggling with a 3-7 record in their last ten games and a current two-game losing streak. Their average scoring of 68.7 points per game coupled with an alarming average of 81.4 points allowed per game highlighted their defensive vulnerabilities. In this matchup, Penn State was unable to contain Northwestern's offense, leading to their defeat.
The game took place at the United Center, a neutral venue that provided a fitting backdrop for this important clash. The betting odds from DraftKings had Northwestern favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 143.5. The Wildcats were given a money line of -238, while Penn State's money line stood at 195. These odds reflected the expectations of a competitive game, but Northwestern's performance exceeded those expectations.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the teams had split their previous two meetings, with Northwestern winning the most recent encounter on January 30, 2026, by a score of 94-73. This history added an extra layer of intrigue to the game, as both teams aimed to assert dominance over one another.
Injury reports indicated that both teams were relatively healthy, allowing them to field their best lineups. This was crucial as both squads needed to maximize their potential in a game that could impact their season's narrative.
The conditions for play were favorable, with no adverse weather or other external factors reported that could have influenced the game. As the game progressed, viewers were treated to a display of skill, particularly in the second half, where key scoring plays highlighted Northwestern's ability to maintain control. Notable moments included a series of layups from Tre Singleton and a critical three-point jumper from Freddie Dilione V, which helped to solidify the Wildcats' lead.
In the end, Northwestern's victory not only marked a significant win for the Wildcats but also showcased their resilience in overcoming recent challenges. The final score of 76-66 reflects their determination to finish the season on a high note, while Penn State will need to regroup and address their defensive issues moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NU -4.5 | 143.5 o -112 / u -108 | Penn State Nittany Lions +195 · Northwestern Wildcats -238 |
Leaders
- PointsNick Martinelli24Northwestern Wildcats
- AssistsJayden Reid9Northwestern Wildcats
- ReboundsNick Martinelli9Northwestern Wildcats
- PointsIvan Juric22Penn State Nittany Lions
- AssistsKayden Mingo5Penn State Nittany Lions
- ReboundsIvan Juric6Penn State Nittany Lions
Recent form
Northwestern Wildcats
Last 10: 3-7Streak L264.5 scored · 73.2 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L66-67at Minnesota Golden GophersMar 8
- L66-70vs Purdue BoilermakersMar 5
- W63-62vs Oregon DucksFeb 28
- W72-68at Indiana HoosiersFeb 25
- W78-74vs Maryland TerrapinsFeb 19
- L49-68at Nebraska CornhuskersFeb 14
- L75-87vs Michigan WolverinesFeb 12
- L70-76at Iowa HawkeyesFeb 8
- L44-84at Illinois Fighting IlliniFeb 5
- L62-76vs Washington HuskiesFeb 1
Penn State Nittany Lions
Last 10: 3-7Streak L268.7 scored · 81.4 allowed per game1-4 away
- L62-74at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsMar 8
- L62-94vs Ohio State BuckeyesMar 5
- W71-69vs Iowa HawkeyesFeb 28
- L64-87at Nebraska CornhuskersFeb 21
- L72-85vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsFeb 18
- L72-83at Oregon DucksFeb 14
- W63-60at Washington HuskiesFeb 12
- L75-77vs USC TrojansFeb 8
- L69-110at Michigan WolverinesFeb 5
- W77-75vs Minnesota Golden GophersFeb 1
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 |
Box score
| Stat | Penn State Nittany Lions | Northwestern Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-47 | 27-53 |
| Field goal % | 51 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 7-16 | 6-21 |
| Three-point % | 44 | 29 |
| Free throws | 11-14 | 16-22 |
| Free throw % | 79 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 22 | 28 |
| Offensive rebounds | 5 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 17 | 18 |
| Assists | 18 | 21 |
| Steals | 2 | 9 |
| Blocks | 1 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 24 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 17 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 36 |
| Fouls | 15 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 14 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 9 | 83 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half38-41Jayden Reid makes driving layup (Tyler Kropp assists)
- 2nd Half38-42Jayden Reid makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half38-44Angelo Ciaravino makes driving layup (Jayden Reid assists)
- 2nd Half40-44Ivan Juric makes layup (Freddie Dilione V assists)
- 2nd Half40-45Tre Singleton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-47Nick Martinelli makes driving layup (Jayden Reid assists)
- 2nd Half42-47Kayden Mingo makes layup (Ivan Juric assists)
- 2nd Half43-47Kayden Mingo makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half43-49Nick Martinelli makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half44-49Ivan Juric makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-49Ivan Juric makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-52Justin Mullins makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jayden Reid assists)
- 2nd Half47-52Ivan Juric makes layup (Kayden Mingo assists)
- 2nd Half48-52Josh Reed makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-52Josh Reed makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-55Justin Mullins makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tre Singleton assists)
- 2nd Half49-56Jayden Reid makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-56Ivan Juric makes 1-foot dunk (Melih Tunca assists)
- 2nd Half51-58Tre Singleton makes 12-foot jumper (Jake West assists)
- 2nd Half53-58Josh Reed makes layup (Melih Tunca assists)
- 2nd Half53-59Jake West makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-60Jake West makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-60Kayden Mingo makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-60Kayden Mingo makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-62Tre Singleton makes layup (Jake West assists)
- 2nd Half55-64Jordan Clayton makes driving layup
- 2nd Half55-65Jayden Reid makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-66Jayden Reid makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-68Nick Martinelli makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half57-68Freddie Dilione V makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half57-69Nick Martinelli makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-70Nick Martinelli makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-70Freddie Dilione V makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-70Ivan Juric makes layup (Dominick Stewart assists)
- 2nd Half60-72Tre Singleton makes layup (Jake West assists)
- 2nd Half60-74Tre Singleton makes layup (Jake West assists)
- 2nd Half63-74Freddie Dilione V makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half63-75Jayden Reid makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-76Jayden Reid makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-76Freddie Dilione V makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kayden Mingo assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Northwestern Wildcats, below favours Penn State Nittany Lions.
Venue
- United CenterChicago, IL
- Attendance15828
- OfficialsLarry Scirotto, Tim Comer, Edwin Young
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