Iowa is a 3-point home underdog to Northwestern - what sayeth you?

I'm not sure I ever thought I'd see the day, but a Northwestern men's basketball team is favored to win at Iowa.

The Wildcats are 3-point favorites as of 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, Central time. This is the same Northwestern program that has never been to an NCAA tournament. Repeat, never.

People are calling the 'Cats an NCAA bubble team right now. At 16-7 overall and 5-6 in the Big Ten, I'd normally call it a paper bubble. But look at their schedule after tonight:

02/14/10 vs. Minnesota * Evanston, Ill. 4:00 p.m. CT

02/17/10 vs. Penn State * Evanston, Ill. 7:30 p.m. CT

02/21/10 at Wisconsin * Madison, Wis. 1:00 p.m. CT

02/25/10 vs. Iowa * Evanston, Ill. 6:00 p.m. CT

02/28/10 at Penn State * University Park, Pa. 11:00 a.m. CT

03/03/10 vs. Chicago State Evanston, Ill. 7:00 p.m. CT

03/06/10 at Indiana * Bloomington, Ind. 11:00 a.m. CT

It's not hard to see five or six wins in those seven games. But Northwestern can't afford much less than that, and can ill afford a loss at 8-16, 2-9 Iowa.

Who do you see winning this game tonight? I'd favor the Hawkeyes and the three points. But I'm a sunny optimist, as you know.