Florida Atlantic made plenty of headlines last season with its run to the Final Four.
The Owls will look for an encore performance in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, starting Friday as eighth-seeded FAU opens against No. 9 Northwestern in the East Region’s Round of 64.
The Wildcats are back in the tournament for a second straight season after winning their first-round game in 2023 against Boise State before losing to UCLA in the Round of 32.
Northwestern vs FAU odds
- Spread: Northwestern +3.5 (-115), FAU -3.5 (-105)
- Total: Over 141.5 (-110), Under 141.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Northwestern +135, FAU -165
Odds via BetMGM
Use the Tribune’s BetMGM bonus code TRIB1600 for bonus bets before making your Northwestern vs. FAU pick.
Northwestern vs. FAU prediction
FAU (25-8) put together a terrific season in its first year in the AAC but stubbed its toe in the conference tournament semifinals against Temple.
The Owls were tested in non-conference play, beating Arizona and Texas A&M and losing to Illinois, Florida Gulf Coast and Bryant.
Northwestern (12-8) finished tied with Nebraska for third in the Big Ten. The Wildcats lost three games by four points or less overall, while dropping two other games in overtime.
They have covered six of their last seven games in the underdog role, while knocking off the Big Ten’s regular-season winner, Purdue, and conference tournament champion Illinois.
Guard Boo Buie stepped up down the stretch for Northwestern, averaging 20 points per game in the final 10 contests, including a 29-point effort in a Big Ten Tournament loss to Wisconsin.
Northwestern vs. FAU pick
The Owls posted a 4-1 mark against the spread in the NCAA Tournament last season with all four covers coming as an underdog.
FAU won’t catch anyone off-guard this time as Northwestern has a great shot of winning this game.
Let’s grab the points with the Wildcats in the first tipoff of the day on Friday.
- Pick: Northwestern +3.5 (-115 at BetMGM)
