The Wisconsin Badgers (9-7, 2-1 Big 10) look to lengthen their five-game winning streak against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-6, 0-3 Big 10) at Louis Brown Athletic Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2018, and will air on ESPN2.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 125 points with Wisconsin set as a 1.5-point favorite.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights ATS Prediction
The Badgers come in on a high note after topping the Indiana Hoosiers in their last outing, 71-61. The Badgers made 18 of their 24 free throws (75.0 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 46.4 (above their season average of 28.7). Wisconsin was lifted by Ethan Happ, who was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 11-for-17 shooting.
In the Scarlet Knights’ last game, they got blown out by the No. 13 Purdue Boilermakers, 82-51. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Purdue’s biggest strengths. They had 28 free throw attempts, while Rutgers had 16. Rutgers’ Geo Baker put together a solid performance, leading the team in scoring with 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the NCAA’s top rebounding teams clash. The Scarlet Knights rank 17th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.6 percent), while Wisconsin ranks 35th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.4 percent).
Wisconsin heads into the contest with records of 9-7 straight up (SU) and 6-9 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Badgers have gone over the total 46.7 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Rutgers owns records of 10-6 SU and 5-2-1 ATS. Games including the Scarlet Knights have typically finished under the O/U total (62.5 percent).
After the Badgers won both contests against the Scarlet Knights last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last contest, Wisconsin won 61-54. The Badgers had a much better turnover percentage (17.2 vs. 23.2) and had a better free throw rate (0.300 vs. 0.241).
Wisconsin Badgers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Wisconsin is 1-4 ATS on the road with 4 unders and 1 push.
At home, Rutgers is 5-0-1 ATS with 4 unders and 2 overs.
Rutgers ranks fifth in rebounds per game (43.5) while Wisconsin ranks 254th (31.6).
The Scarlet Knights rank 38th in steals per game (7.9) while the Badgers rank 167th (5.4).
Wisconsin ranks seventh in three pointers allowed per game (15.6) while Rutgers ranks 120th (21.8).
The Scarlet Knights rank 17th in blocks per game (5.8) while the Badgers rank 120th (3.2).
Wisconsin ranks 181st in assists per game (12.9) while Rutgers ranks 232nd (11.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Wisconsin is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Rutgers is 2-1 ATS with 2 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Badgers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.6, up from 5.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Scarlet Knights have scored an average of 65.6 points per game (4.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.0 points per game (8.1 above their season average).
