The Wisconsin Badgers (14-16, 7-10 Big 10) and No. 2 Michigan State Spartans (27-3, 15-2 Big 10) will square off at Kohl Center to bring the regular season to a conclusion. The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 135 points with Michigan State set as a 7.5-point favorite. Action begins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 25, 2018.
Michigan State Spartans at Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview
In the Spartans last matchup, they easily got past the Illinois Fighting Illini, 81-61. Miles Bridges led Michigan State in scoring with 19 points on 4-for-11 shooting. Michigan State dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.578 (below their season average of 0.589) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (below their season average of 36.4). For those same stats, Illinois was 0.385 and 17.5, respectively.
The Badgers will look to maintain momentum after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats in their last contest, 70-64. With 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting, Ethan Happ was Wisconsin’s leading scorer. The Badgers had 9 steals and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.633 (above their season average of 0.513).
Wisconsin might have a tough time finding the bottom of the net as they square off against one of the NCAA’s best defenses. Michigan State ranks 10th in defensive efficiency, while the Badgers rank 171st in offensive efficiency.
Of Michigan State’s 28 games that accepted bets, 14 have finished under the O/U total, while 15 of Wisconsin’s 29 games have finished under the O/U total. The Spartans come into this game with a substantial advantage in terms of straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 27-3 SU and 15-14-1 ATS, while the Badgers are 14-16 SU and 13-16 ATS.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to put up 137 points in that game, hitting the projected point total. The Spartans won 76-61, but were unable to cover as 17-point favorites. The Spartans played a nearly flawless game. They had a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.574 and an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 40.7. For those same stats, the Badgers put up marks of 0.405 and 32.4, respectively. Happ was a standout player in the game, putting up 23 points and seven rebounds.
Michigan State Spartans at Wisconsin Badgers Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Michigan State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Spartans rank first in blocks per game (7.6) while the Badgers rank 118th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- Wisconsin ranks 174th in steals per game (5.5) while Michigan State ranks 244th (4.1).
- Michigan State is 5-7-1 ATS on the road, while Wisconsin is 8-8 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 9 of the Spartans 13 road games, while 9 of the Badgers 16 home games have gone over.
- Michigan State ranks fifth in rebounds per game (41.1) while Wisconsin ranks 284th (30.7).
- The Spartans rank first in assists per game (20.3) while the Badgers rank 182nd (12.9).
- Wisconsin ranks sixth in three pointers allowed per game (15.9) while Michigan State ranks 148th (22.0).
Betting Trends:
- Wisconsin is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Michigan State is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Badgers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.6, up from 1.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Spartans have scored an average of 79.4 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.2 points per game (2.5 above their season average).
