The Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-1 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) visit the Wisconsin Badgers (8-2, 2-1) in a 4:30 p.m. ET contest at Kohl Center in Madison on Thursday. Below, we analyze the Minnesota-Wisconsin college basketball betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Wisconsin is ranked No. 7 in the Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. Minnesota is ranked T-24th.
Minnesota at Wisconsin: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Minnesota +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Wisconsin -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Minnesota +8.5 (-120) | Wisconsin -8.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Minnesota at Wisconsin: Three things to know
- Wisconsin is coming off a home loss to Maryland (70-64) on Monday. Prior to that setback in Madison, the Badgers had won five straight games overall and 15 consecutive games at home (dating back to last season). That home streak includes a 71-69 win over Minnesota on March 1. The Badgers won that game despite shooting just 39.7% from the floor.
- The Golden Gophers are playing in just their second road game of the season, and the first effort did not go at all well. On Dec. 15, Minnesota dropped a 92-65 decision at Illinois. The Gophers shot just 27.5% from the floor in the loss.
- This New Year’s Eve tilt represents a contrast in styles: Minnesota heads into the game ranked third in the Big Ten in scoring (84.3 points per game). Wisconsin leads the circuit in scoring defense (60.6 PPG allowed). And in any pace or tempo measurement, Minnesota is at one end and Wisconsin at the other.
Special College Basketball Betting Promotion!
Bet $1 on any college basketball team money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — register early for special promotion.
Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Minnesota at Wisconsin: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Wisconsin 76, Minnesota 66
Money line (ML)
Minnesota can get to the line a lot and wants to play up-tempo. Wisconsin has seen some fast foes already this season and should be able to weather any Gopher runs.
UM struggled away from home last year. The Gophers being on the road for just a second time and having struggled so much at Illinois is a factor here. THERE IS DECENT VALUE IN WISCONSIN (-400).
Against the spread (ATS)
One can leverage the last-game opinions on both sides here. On the UW side, the Badgers have been touched up by hot shooting in back-to-back games (effective field goal percentages over 54% in games against Michigan State, Maryland). HC Greg Gard’s recent Wisconsin teams have had strong bounce-backs in such situations. Look for the Badgers to clamp down and win Thursday’s game by double digits.
BACK THE BADGERS -8.5 (+100).
Over/Under (O/U)
Respect a well-made total here: PASS.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]