The Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Chicago, IL, in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic. Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Northwestern is favored by -2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -140. The total is set at 160.5 points.
Here’s my Oklahoma State vs. Northwestern predictions and college basketball picks for November 27, 2025.
Oklahoma State vs Northwestern Prediction
My Pick: Northwestern -2.5 (Play to -3.5)
My Oklahoma State vs Northwestern best bet is on the Wildcats to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Oklahoma State vs. Northwestern Odds
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 160.5 -110 / -110 | +120 |
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 160.5 -110 / -110 | -140 |
- Oklahoma State vs Northwestern spread: Northwestern -2.5
- Oklahoma State vs Northwestern over/under: 160.5 points
- Oklahoma State vs Northwestern moneyline: Oklahoma State +120, Northwestern -140
Oklahoma State vs Northwestern College Basketball Betting Preview
Oklahoma State Basketball
The Cowboys are off to a strong start in year two of the Steve Lutz era. Oklahoma State is 6-0, featuring home victories over Texas A&M and South Florida. It’s the Cowboys' longest winning streak since Cade Cunningham was in orange and black.
With basically an entirely new roster, Lutz has already installed his fast-paced style. Oklahoma State plays at the fourth-fastest tempo in the country.
A few interesting stylistic notes: The Cowboys are averaging 93.2 points per game, 16th-most nationally. Lutz also loves using his bench — they’re sixth in bench minutes (46.4%).
Defensively, half of their opponents’ field-goal attempts are coming from behind the arc (49.4%), the 17th-highest 3-point rate allowed in the country. Opponents have shot just 29.2% from deep to start the year.
A crop of talented guards lead the Cowboys. Transfers Vyctorius Miller, Jaylen Curry and Anthony Roy combine to average 46.3 points per game.
Northwestern Basketball
Northwestern is 5-1 on the young season. The Wildcats' last three games have all been close — a two-point win vs. DePaul, a five-point loss vs. Virginia and a two-point win vs. South Carolina after an Arrinten Page game-winner in the final seconds.
This matchup is an interesting clash of styles. The Cats have forced opponents into the slowest tempo in the country so far, with an average defensive possession length of 19.8 seconds. Their opponent's effective field goal percentage sits at 43.9%, 32nd nationally.
Offensively, Northwestern has taken great care of the ball (14th-best turnover rate) and shot the 3 extremely well (41.9%).
Chris Collins’ group also moves the ball — nearly two-thirds of its made baskets are assisted.
The Wildcats are led by a big three of Nick Martinelli (19.3 PPG, 6 RPG), Page (15.7 PPG, 7 RPG) and Jayden Reid (13.5 PPG, 6.2 APG). Martinelli and Page have both been very effective scoring with their back to the basket.
Oklahoma State vs. Northwestern Betting Analysis
This game is being played at the United Center in Chicago. With Duke and Arkansas playing right before, I’m not sure the local Northwestern team will have much of a home-court advantage.
To me, the two main keys are:
- Can Oklahoma State turn Northwestern over and/or run off misses to speed this game up?
- Can Oklahoma State's bigs slow down Page and Martinelli?
The Cowboys are likely without forward Robert Jennings II, who has missed the last two games with a hip injury, leaving them relatively soft inside.
That last piece is what pushes me toward the Northwestern side. I think Lutz’s team could absolutely find a way to dictate tempo, but I’d rather side with the more dependable, less reckless team.
I expect Northwestern to find success playing through its two stud bigs and punishing the Cowboys by drilling open 3s when double-teams are brought down.
Oklahoma State could definitely struggle to score in the half-court against Northwestern's connected defense.
My Pick: Northwestern -2.5 (Play to 3.5)
