Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans Predictions, Picks, Odds and NCAA Basketball Betting Preview – February 26, 2017

Betting on the Wisconsin Badgers (22-6, 11-4 Big Ten)

Point Spread: -1.5

Wisconsin has picked a poor time to go on its worst slump of the season. The Badgers have dropped three of their last four games, all coming against unranked opponents in Northwestern (66-59), Michigan (64-58) and Ohio State (83-73).

That current skid has seen Purdue catch up to them atop the Big Ten standings. But with Purdue’s loss to Michigan on Saturday, the Badgers still hold a share of the conference lead.

The Badgers’ offense has been sputtering at times during their slump. They’ve shot 41 percent or lower in three of their last four games. They also haven’t been able to get big games from their top stars – Bronson Koenig, Ethan Happ, and Nigel Hayes – at the same time.

Koenig finally topped 20 points for the first time in seven games with his game-high 27 against Ohio State, but Hayes and Happ combined for just 11 points.

Despite their inconsistency, the Badgers still have a good defense (No. 12 in efficiency per KenPom.com) and enough experience to come out of East Lansing with a win, especially against a very young Michigan State team.

Wisconsin in 5-3 on the road during conference play this season, but is just 2-6 against the spread.

Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (17-11, 9-6 Big Ten)

Point Spread: +1.5

Michigan State started life without Eron Harris on a positive note as the Spartans beat Nebraska, 88-72. Harris, a senior, suffered a season-ending knee injury in their 80-63 loss at Purdue, and his absence will put even more pressure on Michigan State’s freshman-heavy team.

Those freshmen certainly stepped up in their first game without Harris. Joshua Langford put up a career-high 17 points against the Cornhuskers, Miles Bridges and Nick Ward led the way with 20 points apiece, and point guard Cassius Winston added eight assists.

After going on a three-game losing skid in mid-January, the Spartans have now gone 5-2 in their last seven games. Bridges and Ward have been outstanding in terms of being the team’s consistent performers, but they’re going to need the likes of Langford and Winston to be big-time contributors going forward with Harris gone.

It should help those young freshmen to be playing at home, where they have been excellent this season. The Spartans are an impressive 7-1 (straight-up and against the spread) at East Lansing, with their lone loss coming against Purdue.

Moreover, Michigan State has an unbelievable record at home against Wisconsin. They’re 18-2 in their last 20 meetings at East Lansing, and are a perfect 10-0 (9-1 against the spread) in their last 10 meetings.

Writer’s Prediction

Michigan State (+1.5) maintains its remarkable domination of Wisconsin at home with a 65-60 win.

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