4* Big Ten SMASH (ESPN2)

Nebraska vs. Northwestern, 02/02/2012 19:00 EDT, Score: 74 - 84

Point Spread: -6½/-108 Northwestern

Sportsbook: 5Dimes

Result: Win

4* Big Ten SMASH (ESPN2) on Northwestern -6.5
Motivated by 3 consecutive defeats, expect Northwestern to take care of business at home tonight.

The Wildcats are 8-3 at home, where they are winning by an average of 8.4 points. They have a 7-point home win over Michigan State, who defeated Nebraska by 13 points in Lincoln.

The road has not been kind to Nebraska under the watch of Doc Sadler. The Huskers are just 22-38 ATS in road lined games with him at the helm, losing them by an average of 8.2 points.

While Northwestern's rebounding has been an issue at times this season, we shouldn't worry here. That's because Nebraska is 0-8 ATS vs. poor rebounding teams that are outrebounded by their opponents by 4 or more per game under Sadler. The Cornhuskers are also 8-19-2 ATS in their last 29 games as a road underdog of 6.5 points or less.

It must also be mentioned that Northwestern is 9-2 ATS under coach Carmody in home games after a close loss by 3 points or less. We'll lay the number.