Don’t expect a high-scoring game when the Michigan Wolverines (20-9) travel to Wisconsin to play the Badgers (18-10). The game starts at 6:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 28 and can be seen on BTN.
The Badgers were victorious over Iowa 67-59 on Wednesday. Bronson Koenig led all scorers on the team with 15 points on 4-for-6 shooting. The Wolverines, meanwhile, are coming off a 72-63 win over Northwestern on Wednesday. Derrick Walton Jr. had a solid game for Michigan, accumulating 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Half-court execution will be at a premium as Wisconsin ranks 339th in the nation in possessions per game (63.7 possessions per game), while Michigan is 311th (65.7).
The Badgers come into this game 18-10 Straight Up (SU) and 14-14 Against The Spread (ATS). Below-average play has been the norm lately for the Wisconsin defense. The Badgers have given up an average of 72.1 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 64.2 PPG. Wisconsin has given up very few turnovers with an average of only 11.1 per game.
In the other locker room, the Wolverines have records of 15-13 ATS and 20-9 SU. Most recently, Michigan is 8-2 ATS over the last 10 games. The Wolverines are shooting lights out so far, with a .476 field-goal percentage that ranks 29th in Division I. The Wolverines are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 10th in Division I at 1.53.
This is the first meeting of the season for these conference rivals. The last time they played, Wisconsin came out on top, bringing its SU record to 8-2 over Michigan in their most recent games. The teams have an even record ATS, 5-5. Wisconsin held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while Michigan was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Wisc, ATS Winner – Wisc
Notes
Wisconsin averages 69.1 points per game, placing the team just 207th in the nation. Michigan ranks 51st in points allowed, giving up 66.9 points per game.
Michigan averages 74.8 points per away game (ranked 58th). Wisconsin allows 64.9 points per home game (ranked 69th).
With 63.7 possessions and 1.085 points per possession, the Wisconsin Badgers perform worse on both metrics than the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan averages 65.7 possessions and 1.157 points per possession.
The Michigan Wolverines have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking eighth in the country with an eFG% of 56.5%. When their opponents record a similar or higher eFG%, the Wisconsin Badgers are winless with a 0-2 record.
On average, Wisconsin attempts 17.0 three pointers and Michigan attempts 25.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Wisconsin Badgers are 6-5 while the Michigan Wolverines have a winning 17-9 record.
The 10th-ranked team in the category, Michigan has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.53 this season. Wisconsin ranks lower at 177th with an A/TO of 1.05.
On average, Wisconsin forces a turnover rate of 19.1%. When Michigan turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 4-2 record.
