A Wisconsin-Nebraska game is usually important in Big Ten football but not basketball. However, Thursday’s matchup is key for both as the No. 7 Badgers are the conference’s highest-ranked team and led the Big Ten by a game. Nebraska is simply looking to play spoiler and maybe earn an NIT berth by the end of the season. UW will be a solid college basketball betting favorite.
When: Thursday, Feb. 9, 9 PM ET
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln
TV: Big Ten Network
Opening NCAAB Lines: Wisconsin favored by TBA
The Badgers have reached the 20-win plateau for the 11th-consecutive season and the 14th time in the last 15 years. Over the last four seasons, Wisconsin is 32-8 (.800) in regular-season games in the months of February and March.
UW improved to 9-1 in Big Ten play for the second time in the last three seasons (13-1 in 2015). The Badgers won their 19th-consecutive home game, a streak that dates back to Jan. 17, 2016, and equals the sixth-longest in school history. It is also the sixth-longest active run in the nation.
Wisconsin went 23-for- 31 (.742) at the free throw line, its second-best mark in a Big Ten game this season. The Badgers went 21-for- 28 (.750) in their conference opener vs. Rutgers on Dec. 27. The Badgers are 6-0 this season when attempting at least 25 free throws in a game.
The Badgers held the Hoosiers to 60 points, matching their second-lowest scoring output of the season (at Michigan, Jan. 26). Indiana entered the game averaging 83.0 points per game on the season. IU scored a season-low 55 points at Northwestern on Jan. 29. UW improved to 18-0 this season and 33-0 under Greg Gard when leading or tied with 5:00 remaining. The Badgers held a 50-44 lead with 5:00 to play.
McVeigh scored 11 of his 16 in the first half, while Tai Webster and Jordy Tshimanga added 14 and 10, respectively. Webster’s 14 points put him over 1,000 career points, as the senior added six rebounds and six assists Tshimanga, plagued by foul problems, had 10 points and eight rebounds in just 17 minutes before fouling out. Nebraska’s 3-of- 20 from 3-poin range was its second-lowest total of the season.
The loss was Nebraska’s second in a row and seventh in eight games. The Huskers were again without injured sophomore Ed Morrow, who missed his seventh straight game. And Sunday, Glynn Watson was added to the list of banged-up Huskers with a strained groin.
After scoring 34 points in Nebraska’s first meeting with Iowa, Watson finished with three points Sunday on 0-for- 4 shooting in just 18 minutes. Watson didn’t start the game, and played just seven minutes in the second half.
This is the only scheduled meeting between Nebraska and Wisconsin. Nebraska is 6-3 this season in games decided by five points or less. Nebraska is averaging 73.3 points per game in conference play, the Huskers’ highest average since averaging 87.1 points per game in the Big Eight in 1993-94. Eight of the Huskers’ 10 Big Ten games this season have been decided by eight points or less, including six games by four points or less.
Wisconsin at Nebraska Spread, Free Pick & TV Info
When: Thursday, Feb. 9, 9 PM ET
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln
TV: Big Ten Network
Opening NCAAB Lines: Wisconsin favored by TBA
Why Bet On Wisconsin?
The Badgers beat Indiana 65-60 on Sunday. Ethan Happ scored 20 points and gave his team a defensive spark, while Nigel Hayes added 15 and 10 rebounds. Happ was 8 of 10 from the field to help the Badgers (20-3, 9-1 Big Ten) win their seventh straight game and take sole possession of first place in the league. Maryland’s loss to Purdue last Saturday allowed Wisconsin to take a one-game lead in the conference over the Terrapins. Shooting 35 percent from 3-point range for the season entering the afternoon, Wisconsin was held to 24 percent (4 of 17) from behind the arc.The Badgers have reached the 20-win plateau for the 11th-consecutive season and the 14th time in the last 15 years. Over the last four seasons, Wisconsin is 32-8 (.800) in regular-season games in the months of February and March.
UW improved to 9-1 in Big Ten play for the second time in the last three seasons (13-1 in 2015). The Badgers won their 19th-consecutive home game, a streak that dates back to Jan. 17, 2016, and equals the sixth-longest in school history. It is also the sixth-longest active run in the nation.
Wisconsin went 23-for- 31 (.742) at the free throw line, its second-best mark in a Big Ten game this season. The Badgers went 21-for- 28 (.750) in their conference opener vs. Rutgers on Dec. 27. The Badgers are 6-0 this season when attempting at least 25 free throws in a game.
The Badgers held the Hoosiers to 60 points, matching their second-lowest scoring output of the season (at Michigan, Jan. 26). Indiana entered the game averaging 83.0 points per game on the season. IU scored a season-low 55 points at Northwestern on Jan. 29. UW improved to 18-0 this season and 33-0 under Greg Gard when leading or tied with 5:00 remaining. The Badgers held a 50-44 lead with 5:00 to play.
Why Bet On Nebraska?
Jack McVeigh’s 16 points led three Huskers in double figures, but Iowa made the plays down the stretch to earn an 81-70 win Sunday afternoon over the Cornhuskers. Nebraska (10-13, 4-7 Big Ten) cut an eight-point deficit to 67-64 after a 3-point play from Evan Taylor with 3:57 left, but would get no closer, as Iowa used a 9-2 run to pull away, capped by a 3-pointer from Brady Ellington that made it 76-66 with 1:23 remaining.McVeigh scored 11 of his 16 in the first half, while Tai Webster and Jordy Tshimanga added 14 and 10, respectively. Webster’s 14 points put him over 1,000 career points, as the senior added six rebounds and six assists Tshimanga, plagued by foul problems, had 10 points and eight rebounds in just 17 minutes before fouling out. Nebraska’s 3-of- 20 from 3-poin range was its second-lowest total of the season.
The loss was Nebraska’s second in a row and seventh in eight games. The Huskers were again without injured sophomore Ed Morrow, who missed his seventh straight game. And Sunday, Glynn Watson was added to the list of banged-up Huskers with a strained groin.
After scoring 34 points in Nebraska’s first meeting with Iowa, Watson finished with three points Sunday on 0-for- 4 shooting in just 18 minutes. Watson didn’t start the game, and played just seven minutes in the second half.
This is the only scheduled meeting between Nebraska and Wisconsin. Nebraska is 6-3 this season in games decided by five points or less. Nebraska is averaging 73.3 points per game in conference play, the Huskers’ highest average since averaging 87.1 points per game in the Big Eight in 1993-94. Eight of the Huskers’ 10 Big Ten games this season have been decided by eight points or less, including six games by four points or less.
