Hoosiers vs Badgers NCAAB Handicapping Prediction
Indiana (16-4) has lost 10 straight to Wisconsin (16-5) in Madison and to snap that losing streak they will need to find a way to score on a Badgers’ team that leads the nation in defense. NCAAB lines have Wisconsin as 7-point home favorites with a total of 126.
Venue/ Stadium: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
Time/Date: 9 PM EST Thursday, January 26, 2011
NCAA Odds From: BetOnline
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Wisconsin -7
Over/Under: 126
No. 17 Indiana Hoosiers vs. No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers Preview
In their last games Indiana snapped their 3-game losing streak by beating Penn State 73-54 and Wisconsin won their 4th straight beating a ranked Illinois team 67-63.
On the season Wisconsin is 12-6 ATS with an O/U record of 7-11 and Indiana is 9-6 ATS with an O/U record of 10-4-1.
Cody Zeller (15.1 ppg 6.4 rpg) leads the Hoosiers in scoring and rebounding and is shooting 65.9% from the floor, which ranks 3rd in the nation. Can he score on a great Badgers’ defense that is holding opponents to 35.9% shooting?
Zeller will need more help from Christian Watford (12.6 ppg) than he has been getting, as Watford has only averaged 9 ppg on only 30.6% shooting in his last 4 games.
Jordan Taylor (14.1 ppg) and Jared Berggren (11 ppg) lead the Badgers and this duo combined for 37 points in the win over Illinois. Wisconsin’s offense has come alive in their recent win streak and they can also shoot the deep ball going 9/22 from behind the 3-point arc in the win over Illinois.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Both teams are pretty even on the boards and hitting the glass will be key in this game. Also, if the Badgers can hit the long ball and play a slower tempo game they have a major advantage.
The Badgers are 0-4 against ranked teams this season while Indiana is 3-2 and that includes huge wins over Kentucky and Ohio State, who were ranked #1 and #2, respectively, at the time.
Betting Trends
Indiana is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall, and they have an Over record of 7-1-1 in their last 9 games.
Wisconsin is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games against teams with a winning road record and they have an Over record of 5-2 in their last 7 games.
Wisconsin is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games against Indiana.
Jason’s Pick: Even though the Badgers are playing well and are at home I think Indiana will give them a stiff test. Indiana may not win, but they will cover the spread and even though Wisconsin’s D is so solid I would take the Over with the point total so low.
