Michigan Wolverines vs. Wisconsin Badgers Preview
Where: Kohl Center — Madison, Wisconsin
When: Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Michigan Wolverines (+11.5) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (-11.5) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Michigan Wolverines (12-6, 2-3 Big Ten)
Point Spread: +11.5
Michigan snapped a two-game skid in Saturday’s win over Nebraska, 91-85. Moritz Wagner led the way with 23 points while three other Wolverines also finished in double-digit scoring. Overall, the entire team shot above 50 percent from the field, including 11-for-22 from three-point territory.
It was a great offensive performance for Michigan, which is putting up 75 points per game this season. But the defense has declined as of late, allowing an average of 81.6 points to its last five opponents. That should spell trouble for the Wolverines who’ll be taking on No. 17 Wisconsin, a team that can do major damage on both ends of the court.
Wagner, along with Zack Irvin (14.2 PPG), Derrick Walton Jr. (12.4 PPG) and D.J Wilson (10.8 PPG), will have to keep pouring in the points in the case that the Wolverines’ defense doesn’t start improving anytime soon. Those four are all scoring in double figures this season.
The Wolverines are 1-4 SU and ATS in their previous five road games.
Betting on the Wisconsin Badgers (14-3, 3-1 Big Ten)
Point Spread: -11.5
Seventeenth-ranked Wisconsin rebounded nicely from its loss to Purdue, cruising past Ohio State last Thursday, 89-66, in a game where the Badgers put on a scintillating shooting display. They shot 49.3 percent from the field and a season-high 54.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Bronson Koenig had a game-high of 21 points to go along with five treys and three dimes. He’s posting 15.6 points per game over his last three games. Nigel Hayes also added 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting, marking his fourth-consecutive game with 10 or more points.
Both should continue causing trouble against a Michigan defense that’s lost at the moment.
Speaking of defense, this is where the Badgers create the most success. They’re conceding just 60.2 points per game on the season, among the lowest in the nation. Expect that highly-disciplined defense to show up and force Michigan into tough spots, contested shots and errors all game long.
The Badgers have won the past four meetings (2-2 ATS) with Michigan. They’ve also won their last 12 games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Wisconsin (-11.5) wins and covers.
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