2023 NCAA Tournament Boise State vs. Northwestern line, picks: Advanced computer college basketball model releases selections for Thursday's first round matchup

SportsLine's projection model generated selections for Thursday's 2023 NCAA Tournament matchup between the No. 7 seed Northwestern Wildcats and the No. 10 seed Boise State Broncos

SportsLine Staff

The No. 7 seed Northwestern Wildcats and the No. 10 seed Boise State Broncos meet in a first round matchup of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at 7:35 p.m. ET on Thursday. Northwestern is favored by 2 points at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 128 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college basketball odds page). 

Before making any Boise State vs. Northwestern picks, you NEED to check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters the 2023 NCAA Tournament 79-53 on all-top rated college basketball picks this season, returning nearly $1,300 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen HUGE returns.

The model knows Boise State has the more dynamic offense in this matchup. The Broncos have three players averaging at least 13 points per game, and Boise State is sound in turnover rate (16.7%) and live-ball turnover rate (7.6%). Boise State also converts 36% of its 3-point attempts and nearly 74% of its shots at the free throw line. The model also knows Northwestern is notably stout on defense. The Wildcats allow fewer than 63 points per game and force a turnover on more than 21% of defensive possessions. Northwestern is in the top 25 nationally in steal rate and block rate, with opponents shooting only 46.6% on 2-point attempts.

Now, it has set its sights on Boise State vs. Northwestern. We can tell you the model is leaning Over the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any college basketball picks.

Who wins Boise State vs. Northwestern? And which side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Boise State vs. Northwestern spread you should be all over Thursday, all from the model on a roll on college basketball picks!