A defensive battle should be expected when the Wisconsin Badgers (10-13, 3-7 Big 10) and the Northwestern Wildcats (13-10, 4-6 Big 10) square off at Kohl Center. The game is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 130 points with Wisconsin opening as a 3-point favorite.
Northwestern Wildcats at Wisconsin Badgers ATS Prediction
In the Wildcats’ last matchup, they were defeated by the No. 24 Michigan Wolverines, 58-47. Michigan’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Northwestern. The Wolverines had a rate of 8.2 (better than their season average of 13.1), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 23.7 (above their season average of 15.0). Scottie Lindsey was the top scorer from either team with 15 points on 5-for-11 shooting.
The Badgers were beaten by the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their last game, 74-63. Nebraska’s 8.1 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Wisconsin, who had a rate of 17.7. The Cornhuskers’ mark was better than their season average of 14.4. Ethan Happ had a good performance for Wisconsin, leading the team in scoring with 25 points on 8-for-19 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the nation’s slowest-paced teams face off. Wisconsin ranks 345th in possessions per game (64.3) and Northwestern is 271st (67.9).
Northwestern heads into the contest with records of 13-10 straight up (SU) and 8-12 against the spread (ATS). Of the Wildcats’ 20 games that accepted bets, 12 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin owns records of 10-13 SU and 8-14 ATS. Vegas has been spot on when setting the O/U total of Badgers games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Happ has averaged 18.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.4 steals over the last five games for Wisconsin.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. The Badgers won the last matchup 76-48. The Badgers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (38.7 vs. 25.0) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.579 vs. 0.375).
Northwestern Wildcats at Wisconsin Badgers ATS Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Northwestern, ATS Winner – Northwestern, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Northwestern is 3-7 ATS on the road with 5 unders, 4 overs and 1 push.
At home, Wisconsin is 6-6 ATS with 8 overs and 4 unders.
Northwestern ranks 104th in three pointers attempted per game (23.2) while Wisconsin ranks 231st (19.2).
The Wildcats average 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 32nd in the nation. The Badgers rank 127th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
Northwestern ranks 209th in rebounds per game (34.1) while Wisconsin ranks 275th (31.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Northwestern is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Wisconsin is 2-3 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Wildcats have been outscored by an average of 4.0 points in their last five games. On the season, Northwestern has defeated opponents by an average of 5.1 points.
During their last five games, the Badgers have scored an average of 63.2 points per game (4.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.6 points per game (6.0 above their season average).
