[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The 12th-seeded James Madison Dukes (31-3) play the No. 5 seed Wisconsin Badgers (22-13) in the 1st round of the South Region. Tip from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., is set for 9:40 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the James Madison vs. Wisconsin odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
James Madison has won 13 games in a row since Feb. 1 after knocking off Arkansas State 91-71 in the Sun Belt final to cover as a 6-point favorite. G Xavier Brown had a double-double with a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds as 4 JMU players scored in double figures and the team shot 62.5% from the field.
Wisconsin fell 93-87 to Illinois in the Big Ten final on Sunday while failing to cover as a 4-point underdog. G AJ Storr scored a team-high 24 points as 4 Wisconsin players scored in double figures. The Badgers shot 46.9% from the field in the loss.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $2,500 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!
James Madison vs. Wisconsin odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): James Madison +176 (bet $100 to win $176) | Wisconsin -215 (bet $215 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): James Madison +5.5 (-115) | Wisconsin -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -106 | U: -114)
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
James Madison vs. Wisconsin picks and predictions
Prediction
James Madison 81, Wisconsin 74
Moneyline
BET JAMES MADISON (+176).
James Madison has won 13 games in a row and has had a high-powered offense during that span. It has scored 83 or more points in 9 of the 13 games while holding opponents to 74 or fewer in 9 of the 13. It faces a Wisconsin squad that had an impressive run through the Big Ten Tournament, but is just 5-5 in its last 10 overall. The Badgers rely too heavily on their ability to score from deep which will provide an edge to the Dukes to pull off the upset.
Against the spread
PASS.
The odds are better on JMU to win outright.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Over/Under
BET OVER 145.5 (-105).
JMU has hit the Over in 6 of its last 8 games and has scored 81 or more points in 8 of its last 10. It plays a fast-paced style and has shot well consistently from the field demonstrated by its 62.5% shooting performance in the Sun Belt Championship.
Wisconsin has hit the Over in 9 of its last 10 games and has scored 70 each of its last 10. It has also given up 70 or more points in 7 of its last 10.
Expect a high-scoring affair on Friday.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @seth_orlemann on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]