The Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) and the No. 25 Baylor Bears (3-0) go head-to-head in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic at Sprint Center. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 137 points with Baylor opening as a 1-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday, November 20, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
Baylor Bears vs. Wisconsin Badgers ATS Preview
The Bears were victorious over the Alcorn State Braves in their last outing, 78-61. With 16 points and 12 rebounds, Baylors Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. played well. Baylor dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.286 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 45.0. Alcorn State was 0.033 and 13.9, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Badgers last matchup, they were beaten by the No. 15 Xavier Musketeers, 80-70. Ethan Happ led Wisconsin in scoring with 21 points on 7-for-13 shooting. Xavier did an excellent job of making free throws (20-23; 87.0 percent). Wisconsin, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (9.1 vs. 14.8).
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Wisconsin takes on the elite defense of Baylor. Since last season, the Badgers rank 52nd in offensive efficiency, while the Bears are 45th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Bears have been among the NCAAs best on the offensive backboards, ranking second in offensive rebounding percentage (40.5 percent). The Badgers, meanwhile, rank 28th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.8 percent.
The Bears are 28-7 straight up (SU) and 15-15 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Vegas has had a tendency to set the total high when Baylor is involved since last season as 60.0 percent of their games have gone under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, the Badgers, are 27-10 SU and 18-17-1 ATS since last season. Games including Wisconsin have finished over the projected point total 52.8 percent of the time over that same stretch.
Baylor Bears vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Bears rank 38th in blocks per game (4.7) while the Badgers rank 135th (3.5).
- Baylor is third in the nation with 28.9 rebounds allowed per game while Wisconsin is 13th with 30.9 rebounds allowed per game.
- Wisconsin ranks 83rd in steals per game (6.8) while Baylor ranks 246th (5.1).
- The Badgers rank ninth in assists allowed per game (10.3) while the Bears rank 163rd (13.2).
- Wisconsin ranks 153rd in three pointers attempted per game (21.4) while Baylor ranks 264th (18.5).
