It will be a battle between Big 10 opponents when the Wisconsin Badgers (8-7, 1-1 Big 10) welcome the Indiana Hoosiers (8-6, 1-1 Big 10) to Kohl Center. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 132.5 points with Wisconsin set as a 5.5-point favorite.
Indiana Hoosiers at Wisconsin Badgers Free Prediction
The last time the Hoosiers played, they thoroughly outplayed the Youngstown State Penguins, 79-51. The Hoosiers had a solid free throw rate of 0.271 (above their season average of 0.254) and held the Penguins to an effective field goal percentage of 0.355 (below their season average of 0.479). Indiana was lifted by Juwan Morgan, who was the game’s high scorer with 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
The Badgers had no trouble getting past the Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks in their last contest, 82-53. The Badgers knocked down 10 of their 14 free throws (71.4 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 48.1 (above their season average of 27.5). Brevin Pritzl was the top scorer from either team with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Wisconsin ranks 343rd in possessions per game (64.3) and Indiana is 260th (68.6). Also, the Hoosiers rank 47th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.0 percent), while the Badgers rank 35th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.7 percent).
Indiana heads into the contest with records of 8-6 straight up (SU) and 6-6-2 against the spread (ATS). Hoosiers games have typically gone over the O/U total (57.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Wisconsin owns records of 8-7 SU and 5-9 ATS. Of the Badgers’ 14 games that accepted bets, 7 have finished over the O/U total.
Morgan has averaged 17.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for Indiana.
After the Badgers won all three matchups against the Hoosiers last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last matchup, Wisconsin won 70-60. The Badgers had a much better turnover percentage (10.2 vs. 16.7) and had a better free throw rate (0.105 vs. 0.089).
Indiana Hoosiers at Wisconsin Badgers Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Indiana, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Indiana is 1-2-1 ATS on the road with 2 overs and 2 unders.
Wisconsin is 4-5 ATS at home with 7 overs and 2 unders.
Wisconsin ranks seventh in three pointers allowed per game (15.6) while Indiana ranks 183rd (23.5).
The Hoosiers rank 74th in rebounds per game (38.2) while the Badgers rank 249th (31.7).
Indiana ranks 30th in blocks per game (5.3) while Wisconsin ranks 123rd (3.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Indiana is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Wisconsin is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Hoosiers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.0, up from 3.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Badgers have scored an average of 77.8 points per game (7.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 69.0 points per game (3.6 above their season average).
