The Northwestern Wildcats (15-7, 6-5 Big Ten) limp into Madison to battle the struggling Wisconsin Badgers (13-8, 5-6) Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Northwestern vs. Wisconsin odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Northwestern comes into the game after 2 straight loses of more then 15 points, 1st to Iowa and then to Michigan, a 68-53 loss at home as 3-point favorites. Northwestern has had to deal with COVID-related delays this season, something other teams have not. Despite this, the Wildcats are still over .500 in conference and look to remain so against a Wisconsin team which, after a strong start has slid down the ranks in recent weeks.
A 65-60 win on Thursday against Ohio State as 7.5-point underdogs stopped the bleeding of a 3-game losing streak for the Badgers. They will now look to add to the misery of Northwestern by sending them to its own 3-game losing streak on Sunday.
Northwestern beat Wisconsin 66-63 at home on Jan. 23, covering as a 2.5-point favorites as the over 124.5 cashed.
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Northwestern at Wisconsin odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Northwestern +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Wisconsin -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northwestern +3.5 (-110) | Wisconsin -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 125.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Northwestern at Wisconsin picks and predictions
Prediction
Wisconsin 67, Northwestern 65
Moneyline
PASS.
Unless you are making a parlay play, I would not make a wager on the moneyline here. Northwestern has been dominated in its last 2 games and with the line only being 3.5 in favor of Wisconsin, I would rather make a straight wager on the spread and avoid the inflated number on the ML.
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Against the spread
NORTHWESTERN +3.5 (-110).
Wisconsin has been terrible ATS in recent games. In its last 6 home games, the Badgers have failed to cover in any matchup. The Badgers are also 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games overall.
Northwestern may not win, but it will be able to keep this game close down the stretch and I could also see this game going to overtime.
Over/Under
OVER 125.5 (-110).
Northwestern has gone Over in 5 straight games against teams with winning home records and has also gone Over in 4 straight against teams with winning records overall. On top of this, in 5 straight road games, the Wildcats have gone Over the posted total.
While neither team is stellar on offense, 125.5 is extremely low and it gives value to taking the Over in Madison on Sunday.
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