Northwestern (9) vs. Florida Atlantic (8) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
Florida Atlantic is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the college basketball odds, while the total is set at 141.5 for this first round East Region matchup.
Northwestern vs. Florida Atlantic NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
The winner of this game will face No. 1 overall seed UConn in the second round, barring a shocking upset by 16-seed Stetson.
This is just the third appearance for Northwestern in the NCAA Tournament after making it to the second round in 2017 and 2023. They were an 8-seed in 2017 when they beat Vanderbilt and lost to Gonzaga and they were a 7-seed last year when they beat Boise State and lost to UCLA. The Wildcats are +25,000 to win the tournament, +5000 to reach the Final Four, +1800 to reach the Elite Eight and +800 to reach the Sweet 16.
Northwestern is a combined 4-2 in their two previous NCAA Tournament appearances in 2002 and 2023. That winning record is thanks to last year’s surprise run to the Final Four as a 9-seed, which included victories over Memphis, Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee and Kansas State before San Diego State bounced them from the tournament. FAU is +10,000 to win the tournament, +2000 to reach the Final Four, +1400 to reach the Elite Eight and +750 to reach the Sweet 16.
For years, the Selection Committee has maintained there is no difference between No. 8 and 9-seeds and the stats reflect that as they have a nearly identical all-time record. The 8’s and 9’s went 2-2 last year, but it’s the 9-seeds that have a slight advantage overall. The 9-seeds are 17-11 over the last six years.
Northwestern Wildcats (9)
Northwestern finished fourth in the stacked Big Ten this season, going 12-8 in the conference and 21-11 overall. It says a lot about the competitiveness of the Big Ten that the Wildcats enter the NCAA Tournament as a 9-seed despite sitting behind Purdue, Illinois and Nebraska in the regular season standings while also getting bounced by Wisconsin in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
The Wildcats have had some big moments this year, including wins over powerhouse Purdue and Big Ten Tournament champs Illinois. Four Northwestern players have averaged double digit points on the season, including senior guard Boo Buie, who averaged team-highs in points per game (19.2) and assists (5.1). Brooks Barnhizer has also been key as he averages 14.6 ppg and leads the team in rebounds (7.5) and steals (1.8).
Florida Atlantic Owls (8)
Florida Atlantic enters the NCAA Tournament with a 25-8 overall record on the year. They finished second in the AAC standings with 14-4 record and they ultimately fell to Temple in the semi-finals of the AAC Tournament. Despite some questionable losses to lesser opponents this season, the Owls have also defeated two top-12 teams in Arizona and Texas A&M. It’s a little ironic FAU is an 8-seed this year, given they were a 9-seed last year when they were a more consistent and dangerous team.
The duo of Johnell Davis (18.2 ppg) and Vladislav Goldin (15.6 ppg) has delivered for Florida Atlantic this season. Davis, who was also a big part of last year’s success, is shooting over 40 per cent from three, while 7-foot-1 Goldin is one of the AAC’s toughest guards to block
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