The Wisconsin Badgers (10-12, 3-6 Big 10) welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-8, 7-4 Big 10) to Kohl Center as they look to prolong their six-game home winning streak. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, January 29, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 130.5 points with Wisconsin set as a 2.5-point favorite.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Prediction
The Cornhuskers will be looking for similar success after topping the Iowa Hawkeyes in their last game, 98-84. The Cornhuskers made 27 of their 36 free throws (75.0 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 39.3 (above their season average of 29.5). Nebraska received a boost from Isaac Copeland, who finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
In the Badgers’ last game, they were beaten by the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans, 76-61. Michigan State launched 19 three pointers, making eight of them (42.1 percent), while Wisconsin was 5-24 (20.8 percent). With 23 points on 7-for-19 shooting, Ethan Happ led Wisconsin in scoring.
Half-court execution will be critical when a pair of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Wisconsin currently ranks 347th in possessions per game (64.1) and Nebraska is 258th (68.3).
Nebraska heads into the contest with records of 16-8 straight up (SU) and 16-6 against the spread (ATS). Cornhuskers games have typically finished under the O/U total (68.2 percent).
Meanwhile, Wisconsin owns records of 10-12 SU and 8-13 ATS. Coinciding with Nebraska, just over half of Badgers games have finished under the O/U total.
James Palmer Jr. has averaged 20.0 points over the last five games for Nebraska.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Badgers lost 63-59, unable to cover as 1.5-point underdogs. Happ led both teams with 19 points and also added 11 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 122 points, which was 10 points below the projected point total of 132 points. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Nebraska’s biggest strengths. They made 28 trips to the line, while Wisconsin went just 10 times.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Odds Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Nebraska, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Nebraska is 7-4 ATS with 8 unders and 3 overs.
At home, Wisconsin is 6-5 ATS with 7 overs and 4 unders.
Wisconsin ranks ninth in rebounds allowed per game (30.0) while Nebraska ranks 258th (38.8).
The Cornhuskers rank 14th in blocks per game (5.6) while the Badgers rank 124th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
Nebraska ranks 32nd in steals allowed per game (5.1) while Wisconsin ranks 90th (6.0).
The Badgers are fourth in the NCAA with 15.6 three pointers allowed per game while the Cornhuskers are 23rd with 18.1 three pointers allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Nebraska is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Wisconsin is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push over their last five games.
The Cornhuskers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 4.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Badgers have scored an average of 62.4 points per game (5.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.4 points per game (4.1 above their season average).
