Badgers vs. Hilltoppers Prediction
The Wisconsin Badgers play at one of the slowest paces in the country, while Western Kentucky is in the bottom half nationally in tempo. Is that going to lead to the score staying under the projected total today?
Game Snapshot
635 Wisconsin Badgers at 636 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Saturday, December 29, 2018
E.A. Diddle Arena at 5:30PM ET
TV: CBSSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Badgers are a 7-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 136.5 points. As of Saturday morning, 56 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Wisconsin. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Badgers dominate Grambling
Wisconsin led 39-27 at halftime and continued to roll in the second half last Saturday as it cruised to an 84-53 home win over the Tigers. Wisconsin shot 28-of-57 from the floor in the victory, hitting 8-of-21 from beyond the 3-point arc and 20-of-26 at the free throw line. Ethan Happ paced the Badgers (10-2) with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting plus 7-of-10 at the free throw line. He added eight rebounds and five assists. D’Mitrik Trice tallied 14 points, three assists and two boards. Nate Reuvers had 10 points plus four rebounds. Kobe King added 10 points and four rebounds off the bench.
Hilltoppers edge St. Mary’s
Western Kentucky earned a 71-68 home win over the Gaels last Saturday to improve to 6-6 on the season. The Hilltoppers led 34-27 at halftime and managed to hang on from there. Western Kentucky shot 29-of-50 from the floor including 6-of-12 from 3-point range plus 7-of-12 from the free throw line. Josh Anderson paced WKU with 18 points off the bench on 8-of-11 shooting to go with two steals. Taveion Hollingsworth contributed 16 points, five boards and three assists. Jared Savage recorded 12 points, five caroms and two dimes. Dalano Banton added 11 points, six assists, four rebounds and three blocked shots.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Wisconsin
The Badgers are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 road games. The over is 6-1 in the last seven Wisconsin games on Saturdays.
Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers are 5-2 ATS intheir last seven games versus a team with a winning percentage above .600. The over is 5-1 in the last six WKU home games.
Prediction:
Wisconsin has held all but one opponent below 70 points this season and I don’t see any reason why Western Kentucky won’t struggle to score. The Badgers have a very efficient offense at their slow pace, but I think today’s game will be a methodical takedown and some points will be left off the board along the way. The Hilltoppers have shown they can play some defense at times this season and they should get enough stops of their own to keep the total under.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: WISCONSIN BADGERS/WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS UNDER 136.5