Wisconsin basketball to play in-state rival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Dec. 7

Wisconsin basketball to play in-state rival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Dec. 7

The Wisconsin Badgers will square off against the in-state rival Marquette Golden Eagles for their annual I-94 rivalry on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The two Wisconsin powerhouses will face off for the 131st time this winter following a 75-64 Badger victory in 2023 at the Kohl Center. UW boasts a 71-59 edge in the series, and UW has played the Golden Eagles in every season since 1958.

Like UW, Marquette’s roster will appear much differently this fall. Stars Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodara are slated to make the jump to the NBA while Wisconsin’s fav-favorite point guard Chucky Hepburn (transfer), star guard A.J. Storr (transfer) and veteran Tyler Wahl (graduation) departed Madison this spring.

Greg Gard and company also added three top transfers: Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos.

Serbian signee Andrija Vukovic, point guard Daniel Freitag and guard Jack Robison will also don the scarlet and red as freshmen during the 2024-25 season. Freitag, a top-ranked class of 2024 prospect, will look to ignite UW’s backcourt in a now-loaded 18-team conference.

The Badgers will also participate in the 2024-25 Greenbrier Tip-Off event featuring LSU, Pittsburgh and UCF, face Butler in a neutral site contest and reportedly open with this season with Holy Cross at home.

Notre Dame not nearly competitive against Marquette

Not a good night to say the least.

MILWAUKEE – Notre Dame knew it had its toughest test of the season in playing Marquette on the road. Sure enough, everything went against the Irish from the moment they stepped onto the Fiserv Forum court. Battling the No. 8 team in the country and a raucous crowd, the Irish merely were foils in a 78-59 loss that was more of a blowout than the final score indicated.

The Eagles (8-2) scored early and often in the first half, putting the game’s first 17 points on the board unanswered. By the time [autotag]Markus Burton[/autotag] put back his own miss on a layup with 12:53 left in the opening frame, the Irish (4-5) already were too far behind to even make it a contest. While they did outscore the Eagles in the second half, 35-26, it came far too late.

Dominance doesn’t even begin to describe the Eagles’ performance in this game. Factoring in the four shot-clock violations they committed in the first half alone, the Irish were completely annihilated. That includes on fast-break points (26-4), points off turnovers (30-12) and points in the paint (42-16). The eye test also showed that the Eagles are bigger, faster and more coordinated than the Irish, who are just trying to tread water in the middle of a rebuild.

Oso Ighordaro is headed to the NBA after this season, and he showed why with 20 points on six-of-eight shooting and making all eight of his free throws. Tyler Kolek had an impressive line of 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Kam Jones, another NBA draft prospect, contributed 11 points.

Burton was one of the few bright spots for the Irish, scoring 20 points to match Ighordaro and recording a game-high four steals. [autotag]Julian Roper II[/autotag] scored all nine of his points on three 3-pointers.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

WATCH: Voice of Badgers Volleyball talks about record-setting night

Voice of Badgers volleyball highlights special feat

The Wisconsin women’s volleyball team faced Marquette at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday night and set a record with over 17,000 fans in attendance. Jon Arias, the play-by-play voice of the Badgers talked about the experience on his podcast “Joncast Podcast”.

He talked about the draw that the Badgers have had this year, two years removed from their program’s first ever National Championship win in 2021. Kelly Sheffield’s squad help set an attendance record on the road at Arkansas earlier this year.

On top of those feats, it certainly helps that Wisconsin is the number one ranked team in the country as well as a perfect 8-0 on the young 2023 campaign.

Notre Dame-Marquette rematch scheduled for Dec. 9

Hold onto your hats for this one.

Marquette was one of the most exciting teams in college basketball in 2022-23. Notre Dame saw that up close and person when the Golden Eagles came to Purcell Pavilion in December and won, 79-64. Even with a near-complete roster overhaul and a new coach, the Irish will have a chance to avenge that defeat in the back half of the home-and-home. In fact, they’ll have it almost a year to the day:

Let’s be real when we say this likely won’t be a pretty game for the young Irish. The Eagles are returning most of their talent from this past season, and they just rewarded Shaka Smart with a contract extension that will take him into the next decade. The Irish will need to prepare for a very unforgiving environment, too, as they make their first-ever trip to Fiserv Forum. Then again, they play the games for a reason, and college basketball always provides opportunities for an upset, so we’ll see what happens.

Wisconsin Badgers hold block party at Bucks’ Deer District

The Badgers are kicking off the upcoming season with a block party at the home of the NBA Champions:

On Thursday evening, the Wisconsin Badgers hosted a ‘Badgers are Back Block Party’ in the Deer District next to the Milwaukee Bucks’ stadium, Fiserv Forum, to celebrate the upcoming season as well as to welcome fans back to the stands.

Related: Wisconsin extends a PWO offer to 2022 K/P Gavin Lahm

The block party featured performances from the Wisconsin marching band with appearances by Badgers’ players and coaches. Among the notable names are Wisconsin football legends Brian Calhoun and John Clay, as well as some current players including cornerback Faion Hicks and defensive end Matt Henningsen.

It is exciting to see this kick-off celebration for the upcoming year, especially since Wisconsin football season is right around the corner.

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

Wisconsin Badgers hold block party at Bucks’ Deer District

The Badgers are kicking off the upcoming season with a block party at the home of the NBA Champions:

On Thursday evening, the Wisconsin Badgers hosted a ‘Badgers are Back Block Party’ in the Deer District next to the Milwaukee Bucks’ stadium, Fiserv Forum, to celebrate the upcoming season as well as to welcome fans back to the stands.

Related: Wisconsin extends a PWO offer to 2022 K/P Gavin Lahm

The block party featured performances from the Wisconsin marching band with appearances by Badgers’ players and coaches. Among the notable names are Wisconsin football legends Brian Calhoun and John Clay, as well as some current players including cornerback Faion Hicks and defensive end Matt Henningsen.

It is exciting to see this kick-off celebration for the upcoming year, especially since Wisconsin football season is right around the corner.

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

WATCH: Tom Izzo interviewed outside Fiserv Forum before Bucks-Nets Game Six

Tom Izzo was interviewed by the local NBC station outside Fiserv Forum before the Bucks win over the Nets.

Bryn Forbes has had something of a coming out during these NBA playoffs as the country has been able to watch his flame-throwing ways for the Milwaukee Bucks, and he had his coach in town last night to watch him and his Bucks push the Brooklyn Nets to a Game Seven.

Tom Izzo made the trip to the game with his son (and MSU basketball player) Steven for his birthday. While Forbes didn’t have a great game, Izzo did speak to Brandon Kinnard of NBC 26 about Forbes’ growth:

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Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (37-22) head to the Cream City on Friday to play the Milwaukee Bucks (50-8) at the Fiserv Forum for an 8 p.m. tip-off. We analyze the Thunder-Bucks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.


Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.


Thunder at Bucks: Key injuries

THUNDER

  • SF Darius Bazley (knee) out
  • SF Andre Roberson (knee) out

BUCKS

  • SF Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) probable
  • SG Kyle Korver (back) out

Thunder at Bucks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Bucks 118, Thunder 114

Moneyline (ML)

The Thunder +450 are in the second game of a back-to-back and on a five-game winning streak. The last two games have been decided in the final minute against bad teams, which included a win against the Sacramento Kings Thursday, 112-108. The Thunder are 5-3 when playing on zero rest and are one of the better road teams in the league with a 17-10 road record.

However, the Bucks -625 have the second-best home record in the NBA (26-3) with a 13.4-point average margin of victory. Milwaukee has won four straight games and 18 of their last 20 games. I’d never bet an NBA regular season favorite of -625, and if the Thunder were getting +550 and up, I’d recommend sprinkling a small wager on them.

At their current prices, PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Thunder +10.5 (-106) have been a 10-plus-point dog in only two games this season and have covered both of them, whereas the Bucks -10.5 (-115) are 5-7 ATS when laying 10-12 points. In their first meeting of the season, the Thunder covered the spread but lost 121-119 at home, and that was without center Steven Adams. Also, Oklahoma City is 9-0 ATS in their last nine games playing on no rest.

Finally, the Thunder are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 Friday games, and I think that’s important because this is a nationally televised, primetime game and you know point guard Chris Paul will get his squad up for one of their biggest games of the season. I’d argue that the reason they failed to cover in Thursday’s game against the Kings is because they were looking ahead to this game against the Bucks.

BET THUNDER +10.5 (-106).

Over/Under (O/U)

The first Thunder-Bucks game of the season went well over its projected total. The Bucks have a 10-5 Over/Under record with a rest advantage and the Thunder has a 6-5 O/U record when playing with a rest disadvantage. Furthermore, the combined O/U record of the officiating crew assigned to this game is 84-50. 

I’LL LEAN OVER 231.5 (-106).

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Philadelphia 76ers (35-21) will run with the Milwaukee Bucks (47-8) Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum. We analyze the 76ers-Bucks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.


76ers at Bucks: Key injuries

76ers

  • SG Ben Simmons (back) probable

Bucks

  • SG Kyle Korver (back) out

76ers at Bucks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bucks 121, 76ers 110

Moneyline (ML)

The Bucks (-400) host the 76ers for the second time in the past 16 days, and Milwaukee hopes it goes as well as the previous meeting. The Bucks posted a 112-101 victory in Cream City Feb. 6, covering the nine-point number with the Under (229) connecting rather easily. While the Bucks should ease past the Sixers yet again, risking four times the return is just not good gambling. AVOID and look to the line instead.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bucks to win returns a profit of just $2.50.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The BUCKS (-8.5, -110) are rolling right along with six covers in their past seven games, including 6-0 ATS in the previous six as a favorite. In addition, there is something about playing on Saturday which scratches that itch for the Bucks, as they’re 10-1 ATS in the past 11 appearances on Saturdays.

On the flip side, the 76ers (+8.5, -110) are 6-19-2 ATS in the past 27 road games while going just 4-12-1 ATS in the past 17 against winning teams. Philly is also 1-4 ATS in the past five trips to Milwaukee.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 226.5 (-106) is the best play in this one. The Over is 6-2 in the past eight meetings in Wisconsin while going 6-1 in the past seven overall in this series. The Over is also 6-1 in the past seven for Philly against winning teams. Milwaukee has hit the Over in four of the past five at home, too, while going 6-1 in the past seven against winning teams.

The Bucks rank No. 1 in the NBA with 109.7 points per game, and they’re second in the Association with a 48.1 field-goal percentage, a good reason why they hit so many Over results.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Creighton Bluejays at Marquette Golden Eagles college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing Creighton Bluejays at Marquette Golden Eagles sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks and tips.

The Creighton Bluejays (20-6, 9-4) play the Big East Division rival Marquette Golden Eagles (17-7, 7-5) for the second time this season. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. We analyze the Creighton-Marquette odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.

Creighton at Marquette: Three things you need to know

  1. Each team has exceeded bookmakers’ expectations recently:  Creighton has covered six of its last seven games and Marquette has covered seven of its last eight.
  2. Creighton upset Marquette in their first matchup this season, 92-75. The three starting guards in Creighton’s lineup outscored Marquette’s three-headed starting guard attack, 61-36, to key the victory.
  3. Marquette senior guard Markus Howard is leading the Big East in points per game (a nation-leading 27.3) for the second consecutive season. Howard scored a career-high 53 points last season at Creighton.

Get some action on this college basketball matchup or others by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.


Creighton at Marquette: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 5:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Marquette 82, Creighton 76

Moneyline (ML)

The rest and rebounding edge for the Golden Eagles are the reasons I LOVE MARQUETTE -162 here. Marquette’s last game was Feb. 12 at Villanova, which the Golden Eagles lost 72-71; Creighton’s last game was a 93-64 win over DePaul Feb. 15. Since 2017, Marquette is 21-7 straight up when playing with a rest advantage with an 8-point average margin of victory. Marquette has outrebounded Creighton in eight of their last 10 meetings and the Golden Eagles are 17th in the nation in rebounds per game going against Bluejays team that is 276th in opponent’s rebounds per game. In fact, Creighton is minus-1 in rebound-per-game differential while Marquette is at plus-4.

New to sports betting? A $100 wager on Marquette to win would return a profit of $61.73.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Personally, I’m going to bet the Marquette -3 (-110) but officially I recommend PASSING THE AGAINST THE SPREAD bet and sticking with our moneyline play. Here are some Marquette trends to defend both bets:

  • Marquette has the best ATS winning percentage against Big East teams this season, and the second-best ATS record (behind Villanova) against Big East teams since 2017.
  • The Golden Eagles are 7-0 ATS when laying anywhere from 1-4.5 points and Creighton is 3-4 ATS when getting 1-4.5 points.
  • Marquette is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games versus a team with a winning straight up record.

Over/Under (O/U)

I LEAN OVER 156.5 (-110) because the Over has cashed in six of the last seven Creighton-Marquette games and the Over is 6-1 in Golden Eagles last seven games versus a team with a winning straight up record. It’s only a lean though because the Under has cashed in the last three Marquette games and these two teams’ combined Over/Under records in games against ranked opponents is 3-7. 

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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