Wisconsin vs Michigan State Spread Preview

Posted by Eric Williams on Wednesday,February 17, 2016 5:06, EDT in

The eighth-ranked Michigan State Spartans will be looking to extract some major revenge when they square off against the Wisconsin Badgers in a huge Big ten battle that gets underway at 9:00 PM ET on Thursday night, live from the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Now, let’s find out if the Spartans will be successful in their attempt to stay hot and get some payback. To check out the odds on the Spartans vs Badgers match up make sure to click here.

Wisconsin @ Michigan State NCAAB Spread, TV and Game Information

When: Thursday, February 18, 9:00 PM ET
Where: Jack Breslin Student Events Center, East Lansing, Michigan
TV: ESPN
Radio: SpartanSportsNetwork
TV Stream: WatchESPN
NCAAB Odds: TBA

Why bet the Wisconsin Badgers

Because they’re playing their best basketball of the season at just the right time! Wisconsin (16-9 SU, 13-12 ATS) has won an encouraging seven straight games, including their stunning 70-57 beatdown of former No. 2 Maryland on Saturday, as an 8-point road underdog no less. The Badgers scored 17 consecutive points in the first half after Maryland had built a seven-point lead as emotional leader Nigel Hayes scored 14 points to lead Wisconsin to victory.

“We had to hit them in the mouth and take it to them,” said Hayes, who was able to silent Maryland fans who badgered him during the game. “We were able to get some second opportunities. Fortunately we were hitting our shots. We weathered their storm. Guys hit some big shots, guys made some plays. Overall we did a good job, not perfect.”

Forward Vitto Brown scored a team-high 21 points for the Badgers while guard Bronson Koenig added 16 points and five assists. “It is a huge step forward for our team,” Badgers interim coach Greg Gard said. “Our game doesn’t vary too much. We worry about ourselves and how we play. I am extremely proud of our guys. I am really proud of how they have responded after veteran coach Bo Ryan retired early in the season.

Why bet the Michigan State Spartans

Because they’re statistically better, very motivated and playing at home. The Spartans (21-5 SU, 16-9 ATS) have won five of their last six games and pounded Indiana 88-69 on Sunday just one game after losing at Purdue 82-81 in overtime last Tuesday.

Superstar forward Denzel Valentine scored a game-high 30 points and added a career-high 13 assists as the No. 8 Spartans pulled away to lead Michigan State to victory.”That was a better ending for me,” said Valentine, who notched his 14th career double-double while shooting 11 of 19 from the field, including a 5-for-8 performance on 3-point attempts. “You always want the highlight ending but this was more solid, more complete. We got out of here with a comfortable win.”

Michigan State senior center Matt Costello recorded his 10th career double-double with a career-high 22 points and 11 rebounds while senior shooting guard Bryn Forbes added 14 points.

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Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

The Spartans have the big edge in scoring as they put up 10.1 points per game more than the Badgers while also having the slight edge defensively in allowing .6 fewer points per game than their longtime Big Ten rivals.

While the Spartans have gone 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an SU win, 6-0 ATS in their last six games against their Big Ten rivals and a bankroll-boosting 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home games, the Badgers are a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last seven games overall and 6-0 ATS in their last half-dozen games against a team with a winning SU record.

Having said that, let me also say that I don’t see either team winning this contest by more than three points at best. With the Badgers going 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games, I say they cover the spread if it goes over three points. Heck, they could very well win this contest outright, although I don’t think that’s going to be the case.

In the end, I like Michigan State to win by the slimmest of margins while the Badgers cover the spread despite going 1-8 ATS in the last nine meetings in Michigan St.

 

My final score prediction: Michigan State 77 Wisconsin 75