It will be a battle between Big 10 opponents when the Iowa Hawkeyes (10-11, 1-7 Big 10) welcome the Wisconsin Badgers (10-10, 3-4 Big 10) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 142 points with Iowa set as a 1-point favorite.
Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Prediction
The last time the Badgers played, they blew out the Illinois Fighting Illini, 75-50. The Badgers knocked down 16 of their 21 free throws (76.2 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.602 (above their season average of 0.524). Wisconsin was lifted by Ethan Happ, who contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Hawkeyes were blown out by the No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers in their last matchup, 87-64. Purdue’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Iowa. The Boilermakers had a rate of 0.729 (above their season average of 0.585), while the Hawkeyes posted a mark of 0.492 (below their season average of 0.545). Luka Garza put together a solid game for Iowa, leading the team in scoring with 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the nation’s top rebounding teams clash. The Hawkeyes are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 31st in offensive rebounding percentage at 35.1 percent. Meanwhile, Wisconsin ranks 49th in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.8 percent.
Wisconsin comes into the contest with records of 10-10 straight up (SU) and 7-12 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total high when the Badgers are involved, as 57.9 percent of their games have gone under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Iowa is 10-11 SU and 6-9-2 ATS. Contrary to Wisconsin, games including the Hawkeyes have a tendency to go over the projected point total (64.7 percent).
After the Hawkeyes won the sole game against the Badgers last season, 59-57, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Hawkeyes had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.0 vs. 20.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.113 vs. 0.093).
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Iowa, ATS Winner – Iowa, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Wisconsin is 1-7 ATS on the road with 7 unders and 1 push.
Iowa is 2-3-1 ATS at home with 3 overs and 3 unders.
Iowa ranks 31st in rebounds per game (39.6) while Wisconsin ranks 284th (31.6).
The Badgers rank 43rd in assists allowed per game (11.6) while the Hawkeyes rank 221st (15.6).
Wisconsin ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (15.3) while Iowa ranks 180th (23.0).
The Hawkeyes rank 38th in blocks per game (4.7) while the Badgers rank 101st (3.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Wisconsin is 2-3 ATS with 5 unders.
Iowa is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Badgers have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Wisconsin has defeated opponents by an average of 3.6 points.
During their last five games, the Hawkeyes have scored an average of 77.2 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 89.4 points per game (12.5 above their season average).
