The No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers (10-2) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they square off with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (6-6) at E.A. Diddle Arena. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, 2018, and will air on CBS Sports Network.
Wisconsin Badgers at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Free Prediction
In the Badgers’ last matchup, they blew out the Coppin State Eagles, 85-63. The Badgers had a much better turnover percentage (6.5 vs. 17.5) and had a much better free throw rate (0.377 vs. 0.169). Wisconsin rallied around Ethan Happ, who registered 10 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. This gave him his zeroth triple-double this year.
The Hilltoppers lost big to the No. 25 Washington Huskies in their last game, 73-55. Washington’s 9.8 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Western Kentucky, who had a rate of 21.0. Western Kentucky’s Charles Bassey put up 11 points and 12 rebounds in the game.
After the Badgers won the only contest against the Hilltoppers last season, 81-80, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Wisconsin’s 0.255 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Western Kentucky, who had a mark of 0.153.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Happ (0 points) has been fantastic for the Badgers while Taveion Hollingsworth (0 points) has made great contributions to the Hilltoppers.
Western Kentucky does a great job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank 30th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.300), but Wisconsin is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents off the line (ranking 10th by allowing a FTA rate of 0.155). Also, the 26th-ranked offense of the Badgers (offensive efficiency of 115.7) will try to take advantage of the 263rd-ranked defense of the Hilltoppers (defensive efficiency of 105.0).
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Wisconsin ranks 17th in assists allowed per game (9.8) while Western Kentucky ranks 141st (13.8).
The Hilltoppers rank 46th in steals per game (7.8) while the Badgers rank 146th (5.4).
Wisconsin ranks 193rd in three pointers attempted per game (20.4) while Western Kentucky ranks 261st (15.1).
The Badgers rank 56th in blocks per game (4.1) while the Hilltoppers rank 114th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
Wisconsin ranks 47th in rebounds allowed per game (32.0) while Western Kentucky ranks 102nd (34.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Badgers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 20.8, up from 14.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hilltoppers have scored an average of 69.8 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.0 points per game (3.6 below their season average).
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