Good matchup from the Big Ten to kick off the college basketball betting schedule on Thursday as Ohio State, which is on the NCAA Tournament bubble right now, visits No. 18 Wisconsin, which looks like a rare Big Ten team that might do something in the Big Dance. You can check out the game on ESPN2.
When: Thursday, Jan. 12, 7 PM ET
Where: Kohl Center, Madison
TV: ESPN
Opening NCAA Basketball Lines: Wisconsin favored by TBA
The Badgers hadn’t seen a defense as good as Purdue’s since their last defeat, a 71-56 setback against North Carolina in the final of the Maui Invitational more than six weeks ago. “We have to make shots against a team like this,” UW coach Greg Gard said.
Sophomore forward Ethan Happ scored 17 points to lead the Badgers, while senior forward Nigel Hayes added 10. The Badgers have boasted a winning conference record and finished among the top 4 in each of the last 16 seasons, the longest run of success of any team in Big Ten basketball history.
Wisconsin already owns wins over teams from the ACC, Big East (2x), Big 12 and SEC this season. According to KenPom.com, UW has 6 top-100 wins, the most of any Big Ten team. Wisconsin has held 10 of its 15 opponents to season-low point totals. The Badgers rank 18th in the NCAA in adjusted defensive efficiency. They are 5th in the nation with a +12.4 rebounding margin. UW also ranks
5th in the NCAA in def. rebounding pct. (78.1%) and 10th in off. rebounding pct. (38.8%).
Trevor Thompson hit a pair of free throws that cut Minnesota’s lead to 62-59 with 4:05 left. Ohio State made only three field goals the rest of the way, but two of those game in the final 24 seconds when the game was already in hand. When the Buckeyes needed big buckets they instead turned the ball over, went 1-for- 4 at the free-throw line and saw two key players in Jae’Sean Tate and Kam Williams foul out.
Tate had 20 points and nine rebounds. Thompson recorded his fifth double-double of the season racking up 15 points and grabbing 15 boards. This was his second game of the season with 15+ points and 15+ rebounds. Tate also had seven turnovers. The Buckeyes have lost their first three conference games for the first time in coach Thad Matta’s 13 seasons.
“We’ve just got to figure out a way to just come out and play on the court like we do when we’re down by 10,” Tate said. “We can’t wait.”
Ohio State has held all 16 opponents to under 50 percent shooting this season. Minnesota shot 40.9 percent from the field. The Buckeyes held a 40-32 advantage in points in the paint.
Ohio State at Wisconsin Spread, Free Pick & TV Info
When: Thursday, Jan. 12, 7 PM ET
Where: Kohl Center, Madison
TV: ESPN
Opening NCAA Basketball Lines: Wisconsin favored by TBA
Why Bet On Wisconsin?
The Badgers had their nine-game winning streak snapped last time out in a 66-55 loss at Purdue, leaving the Big Ten with no unbeaten teams after two weeks of conference play. It was the first loss in more than six weeks for the Badgers (13-3, 2-1 Big Ten), who shot 39.0 percent from the field and finished with a season-low 0.859 points per possession. UW, which shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range during its winning streak, went 2 of 14 from the 3-point range against the Boilermakers.The Badgers hadn’t seen a defense as good as Purdue’s since their last defeat, a 71-56 setback against North Carolina in the final of the Maui Invitational more than six weeks ago. “We have to make shots against a team like this,” UW coach Greg Gard said.
Sophomore forward Ethan Happ scored 17 points to lead the Badgers, while senior forward Nigel Hayes added 10. The Badgers have boasted a winning conference record and finished among the top 4 in each of the last 16 seasons, the longest run of success of any team in Big Ten basketball history.
Wisconsin already owns wins over teams from the ACC, Big East (2x), Big 12 and SEC this season. According to KenPom.com, UW has 6 top-100 wins, the most of any Big Ten team. Wisconsin has held 10 of its 15 opponents to season-low point totals. The Badgers rank 18th in the NCAA in adjusted defensive efficiency. They are 5th in the nation with a +12.4 rebounding margin. UW also ranks
5th in the NCAA in def. rebounding pct. (78.1%) and 10th in off. rebounding pct. (38.8%).
Why Bet On Ohio State?
The Buckeyes (10-6) come off a loss to Minnesota. The Buckeyes are winless in conference play, with all three losses to Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota playing out in similar fashion. Minnesota’s lead grew to as much as 18 in the first half, and yet somehow in the final minutes of the game Ohio State found itself in a familiar position with a chance to pull out a win in a game that once looked unwinnable.Trevor Thompson hit a pair of free throws that cut Minnesota’s lead to 62-59 with 4:05 left. Ohio State made only three field goals the rest of the way, but two of those game in the final 24 seconds when the game was already in hand. When the Buckeyes needed big buckets they instead turned the ball over, went 1-for- 4 at the free-throw line and saw two key players in Jae’Sean Tate and Kam Williams foul out.
Tate had 20 points and nine rebounds. Thompson recorded his fifth double-double of the season racking up 15 points and grabbing 15 boards. This was his second game of the season with 15+ points and 15+ rebounds. Tate also had seven turnovers. The Buckeyes have lost their first three conference games for the first time in coach Thad Matta’s 13 seasons.
“We’ve just got to figure out a way to just come out and play on the court like we do when we’re down by 10,” Tate said. “We can’t wait.”
Ohio State has held all 16 opponents to under 50 percent shooting this season. Minnesota shot 40.9 percent from the field. The Buckeyes held a 40-32 advantage in points in the paint.
