Wisconsin vs. Michigan State Prediction
Can No. 6 Michigan State find a way to another win when they face No. 19 Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal today at 1PM ET?
605 Wisconsin vs. 606 Michigan State
Saturday, March 16, 2019
1PM ET – United Center
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan State is favored in this game, as the Spartans are getting odds of -5.5 points against Wisconsin. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 129.5 points. The public betting currently has 75 percent going on Michigan State as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Badgers fend off Nebraska
Wisconsin held off Nebraska in the quarterfinals yesterday, 66-62. The Badgers are the 4 seed this weekend and they have won four straight games. Wisconsin is 23-9 on the season, 15-6 in conference games, 3-1 on a neutral floor, 16-15-1 against the spread and 17-14 with the under.
The Badgers are one of the top defensive teams in the country. They are allowing just 61.2 points per game while holding opponents to 39.2 percent shooting. Offensively, Wisconsin scores just 69.5 points per game while shooting 45.7 percent as a team. Ethan Happ is leading the team with 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. D’Mitrik Trice is adding 11.8 points per contest.
Spartans win, but don’t cover
Michigan State defeated Ohio State in the quarterfinal yesterday, 77-70. The Spartans held a big lead, but failed to cover down the stretch. MSU is the top seed and has won eight of its last nine. The Spartans are now 26-6 on the season, 17-4 in Big Ten games, 3-1 on a neutral floor, 22-10 against the spread and 17-14-1 with the under.
MSU is putting up 79.6 points per game this season while shooting 49 percent from the field. Defensively, the Spartans are giving up just 66 points per game while holding opponents to 37.8 percent shooting. Cassius Winston is dealing with a toe injury, but leads the team by averaging 18.9 points and 7.5 assists per game. Nick Ward is adding 14.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and he just returned from a hand injury yesterday.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Wisconsin
The Badgers are just 2-6-1 against the spread in their last 9 Big Ten games, but 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a win.
Michigan State
The Spartans are 15-6 against the spread in their last 21 Big Ten games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven Saturday games.
Prediction:
Michigan State got some big contributions from their bench yesterday which helped them pull away from Ohio State. The Spartans went on the road and beat Wisconsin by 8, 67-59 back on Feb. 12. MSU has the better scoring, for sure, but the question is how much will Tom Izzo rely on Winston and Ward, who aren’t 100 percent. Wisconsin wants to win with defense, but I don’t see the Badgers having enough offense to keep up with MSU if the Spartans are on their game.
College Basketball Prediction: Michigan State -5.5