Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Northwestern Wildcats Picks and Prediction - November 27, 2025
It's the Big 12 vs the Big 10 in college hoops action on Thursday evening, and we have an Oklahoma State vs Northwestern prediction ready to rock and roll. Oklahoma State comes in off a 95-81 home win over Nicholls State to move to 6-0 on the year. The Wildcats are off a 79-77 road win over South Carolina, which moved them to 5-1 on the year. Continue reading to see our Oklahoma State vs Northwestern prediction.
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Cowboys Lasso Nicholls State
Oklahoma State CowboysOklahoma State stayed unbeaten at 6-0 after a 95-81 win over Nicholls on November 22 in Stillwater. Jaylen Curry came off the bench and delivered a career night, scoring 30 points on 8-of-11 shooting while also dishing out 10 assists, becoming the first Cowboy ever to record a 30-point, 10-assist game. Parsa Fallah added 12 points and Ryan Crotty chipped in 11, while the team shot 52.5% from the floor and hit 25-of-27 free throws. The Cowboys built a double-digit lead by halftime and never let Nicholls seriously threaten, continuing their streak of scoring at least 85 points in every game this season.
Offensively, the Cowboys have been one of the fastest and most productive teams in the country, averaging 93.3 points per game on 49.7% shooting. Vyctorius Miller leads the team at 17.5 points per game, while Curry and Clary have emerged as dynamic playmakers in the backcourt, combining for more than 10 assists per game. Christian Coleman and Fallah provide balance inside, both averaging double figures and rebounding well. Oklahoma State’s pace has been relentless, ranking among the nation’s fastest teams, and their ability to spread scoring across five double-digit contributors makes them difficult to defend.
Defensively, OSU has been solid but not airtight, allowing 74.3 points per game. Opponents are shooting just 38.8% from the field and 29.2% from three, numbers that show the Cowboys can pressure shooters but sometimes give up points in transition. Their rebounding margin has been steady, pulling down 39.3 boards per game, and they’ve shown the ability to force turnovers at key moments. Heading into the neutral-site matchup with Northwestern, the Cowboys will look to keep their offensive rhythm rolling while tightening up defensively against a Wildcats team that thrives on efficiency.
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Wildcats Take Down South Carolina
Northwestern improved to 5-1 with a dramatic 79-77 win over South Carolina on November 23 at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. Nick Martinelli was the star, scoring 25 points and grabbing seven rebounds, while Arrinten Page delivered the game-winning layup with less than a second remaining. Jayden Reid added nine assists, and Max Green came off the bench to score 13 points on perfect shooting during a crucial second-half stretch. The Wildcats shot 57% from the field and 50% from three, surviving a late rally by the Gamecocks to secure one of their most impressive wins of the young season.
The Wildcats’ offense has been efficient, averaging 82.3 points per game while shooting 51.9% from the floor and 41.9% from three. Martinelli has been the go-to scorer, averaging 19.3 points per game, while Page adds 15.7 points and seven rebounds in the frontcourt. Reid has been a steady floor general, averaging 13.5 points and 6.2 assists, and Tre Singleton has chipped in with 7.8 points per game while shooting 63% from the field. Northwestern’s balance has been key, with multiple players capable of stepping up, and their ability to shoot efficiently from deep makes them dangerous against any opponent.
Defensively, Northwestern has held opponents to 66.8 points per game on just 38.1% shooting, including 28.2% from three. Their rotations have been sharp, and Page’s presence inside has given them rim protection and rebounding stability. The Wildcats average 33.5 rebounds per game, with Martinelli and Page leading the charge, and they’ve shown the ability to close out tight games with poise. Against Oklahoma State, Northwestern’s challenge will be slowing down the Cowboys’ pace while maintaining their own offensive efficiency. With both teams off to strong starts, this Thanksgiving night clash at the United Center has the makings of a showcase game.
Oklahoma State vs Northwestern Pick
Oklahoma State vs Northwestern Spread Pick
- Northwestern -2.5 (4 Units)
Taking Northwestern at -2.5 feels like the sharper side given how efficient the Wildcats have been early in the season. They’re averaging 82.3 points per game while shooting nearly 52% from the field and an impressive 41.9% from three, numbers that show they can score in multiple ways. Nick Martinelli has emerged as a reliable go-to option at 19.3 points per game, while Arrinten Page adds balance inside with 15.7 points and seven rebounds. Jayden Reid’s ability to control tempo and distribute (6.2 assists per game) gives Northwestern the kind of floor general who can keep the offense steady against Oklahoma State’s fast pace.
Defensively, Northwestern has the profile to cover the number. They’re holding opponents to just 66.8 points per game on 38.1% shooting, including 28.2% from three, which matches up well against an Oklahoma State team that thrives on volume scoring but can be streaky from deep. The Wildcats also rebound well enough to limit second-chance opportunities, with Page and Martinelli anchoring the glass. Oklahoma State’s offense is explosive, but their defense has been leaky at 74.3 points allowed per game, and Northwestern’s efficiency should exploit that. With the Wildcats’ balance and ability to close out tight games, laying the small number at -2.5 looks like the right play.
Oklahoma State vs Northwestern Over/Under Pick
- Under 160 (5 Units)
The Under 160 looks like the right angle because Northwestern’s defense has been sharp, holding opponents to just 66.8 points per game on 38.1% shooting, while Oklahoma State, despite its explosive offense, allows 74.3 points per game but forces teams into under 30% shooting from deep. Both squads can score, yet Northwestern’s slower tempo and efficiency combined with the Wildcats’ ability to control possessions through Martinelli and Page should keep this matchup from turning into a track meet. With disciplined defense on one side and streaky perimeter shooting on the other, the total projects to stay below 160.
