Badgers vs. Buckeyes Prediction
The Wisconsin Badgers have a stiff test tonight as they play at the Ohio State Badgers in Big Ten Conference action. Can Wisconsin play well enough to stay inside the number?
Game Snapshot
859 Wisconsin Badgers at 860 Ohio State Buckeyes
Friday, January 3, 2020
Value City Arena at 7PM ET
TV: FS1
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our NCAA Basketball Odds & Betting Page
According to oddsmakers, the Buckeyes are a 10.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 124 points. As of Friday morning, 59 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Wisconsin. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Badgers suffocate Broncs
Wisconsin picked up a 65-37 home win Tuesday night over Rider to improve to 8-5 overall and 7-0 at home. The Badgers led 22-11 in a low-scoring first half and pulled away after the break. Nate Reuvers paced Wisconsin with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting plus 3-of-4 at the free throw line. He also registered six rebounds and two blocked shots. Aleem Ford racked up 14 points, five boards and two assists. Brad Davison accounted for 11 points, six caroms and four assists. Brevin Pritzl added 11 points in 21 minutes of action off the bench.
Buckeyes upset by Mountaineers
Ohio State lost 67-59 to West Virginia Sunday in Cleveland to drop to 11-2 on the season. The Buckeyes were outscored 36-22 in the second half of the defeat. Kaleb Wesson led OSU with 17 points on 3-of-11 shooting including 1-of-4 from 3-point range plus 10-of-11 at the charity stripe. He also grabbed nine rebounds. Duane Washington Jr. tallied 12 points and two steals off the bench. Luther Muhammad registered 10 points and three assists. C.J. Walker added 10 points, four boards and two steals.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Wisconsin
The Badgers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. Wisconsin is 1-4 ATS in their last five Friday games.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes are 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games. Ohio State is 4-0 ATS in its last four Friday games.
Prediction:
This should be a fun defensive showdown as the Badgers are ranked fourth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, while Wisconsin is inside the top 25. The difference is that Ohio State is better on the offensive end, but the spread at double digits I like the Badgers to stay within that number. I’d imagine the hosts find a way to get the job done in the second half, but Wisconsin has some veterans and is battle-tested. I’m taking the points.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: WISCONSIN BADGERS +10.5