Wisconsin vs. Rutgers Pick
Will No. 15 Wisconsin be able to cruise on the road when it takes on Rutgers today at Noon ET from Madison Square Garden?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Wisconsin is the clear favorite on the road, as the Badgers are getting odds of -16.5 points at Rutgers. The over/under total for the game is listed at 126 points. Wisconsin has won and covered in two straight over Rutgers, including a 72-52 win at home on Dec. 27.
Wisconsin is on a four-game winning streak following an 82-55 victory over Penn State. The Badgers are now 17-3 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin is just 1-2 against the spread in its last three and now 10-7 ATS on the season, including just 3-5 ATS on the road. Wisconsin remains its usual self on defense, allowing just 60.9 points per game this season. However, on the road, Wisconsin is giving up 74.6 points per game. Offensively, the Badgers average 76.6 per game this season. Bronson Koenig is averaging 14.6 points per game to lead Wisconsin while Nigel Hayes and Ethan Happ are both adding 13.7 per game.
Rutgers is just 1-8 in its last 9 games following a 67-55 defeat at Maryland. The Scarlet Knights are now 12-9 on the season and 1-7 in the Big Ten. Rutgers is also just 2-7 ATS in its last nine and 6-8-1 ATS on the season. Rutgers has struggled on offense this season, averaging just 66.6 points per game this season. Defensively, Rutgers is respectable, allowing just 65.8 per game. Corey Sanders is averaging 12.5 points per game to lead Rutgers while both Nigel Johnson and Deshawn Freeman both average 11.4.
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Wisconsin may be the best team in the Big Ten, but the Badgers aren’t a tremendous team away from home. Rutgers is certainly nothing special, but I think the Knights will play up for this game at MSG. Rutgers actually has some respectable guards that could pose some challenges for Wisconsin’s backcourt. While the Badgers will win, I think this game could be a little tougher than they expect.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: RUTGERS +16.5