Tag: Wisconsin Badgers betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

Michigan at Wisconsin odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Michigan Wolverines at Wisconsin Badgers odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Michigan Wolverines (4-0) visit the Wisconsin Badgers (1-2) for a noon ET kickoff Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Below, we look at Michigan vs. Wisconsin odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Michigan, No. 14 in AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports, moved up five spots with a 20-13 win over Rutgers last week and will look to stay undefeated against the Badgers, who dropped from No. 15 to unranked with a 41-13 loss to Notre Dame.

While Michigan may be ranked, it still isn’t the favorite, after dropping 40-plus points on two non-Power 5 programs and defeating two other struggling big-name schools in Rutgers and Washington.

Wisconsin has lost only to programs in the top 10 entering Week 5, which is why, at home, it’s still the favorite. However, after throwing 4 picks against Notre Dame, Badgers starting QB Graham Mertz may have some trust to regain with bettors.

Michigan at Wisconsin odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:55 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Michigan +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Wisconsin -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Michigan +1.5 (-107) | Wisconsin -1.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Michigan at Wisconsin odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Michigan 31, Wisconsin 21

Money line

BET on MICHIGAN (+105) as it has shown few weaknesses so far this season.

Sophomore RB Blake Corum is ninth in the country in rushing yards, and he’ll look to have a big outing in the Wolverines’ biggest challenge yet.

With Notre Dame taking it to Wisconsin last week, most notably on the defensive side of the field, I’d expect Michigan to have its way after holding Rutgers to just 13 points and Washington to 10.

The Wolverines have yet to give up 15 points in a game. Against a struggling Wisconsin offense, Michigan will run its way to another win.

Against the spread

PASS on the spread and look to the money line.

Each of Wisconsin’s losses to top-10 programs was by more than 5 points. Michigan is getting 1.5 points, but the value just isn’t there over picking the Wolverines to win outright.

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Over/Under

“LEAN” on the OVER 43.5 (-110) as a solid play on the total. Michigan is averaging 40.3 points per game.

While it’s yet to play a top program like Wisconsin, that type of production is not something that just disappears. Corum has proven he’s that good. Wisconsin will need to keep up.

Michigan is giving up over 200 yards to quarterbacks that have thrown more than 30 times and Mertz is topping 30 pass attempts per game. It’s also yet to pick off a quarterback trusted to throw that much. Mertz could get back to the player Wiscinson knows he can be.

Giving Michigan’s strength in running and its weakness against pass-heavy offenses, the Over should be the better play but just for half a unit.

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Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0) meet the No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers (1-1) at Soldier Field in Chicago Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon ET. Below, we look at the Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Notre Dame eked past its first two opponents with a 41-38 overtime victory at Florida State as a 7-point favorite and then beat Toledo 32-29 as a 16.5-point favorite. The Fighting Irish took care of business in Week 3 against Purdue with a two-touchdown win as 7.5-point road favorites.

Wisconsin picked up a Week 2 victory 34-7 against Eastern Michigan as a 26-point home favorite and is coming off a bye week. The Badgers were upset 16-10 as 5.5-point home favorites in their season opener against then-No. 20 Penn State.

Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:09 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Notre Dame +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Wisconsin -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Notre Dame +5.5 (-108) | Wisconsin -5.5 (-112)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Notre Dame at Wisconsin odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Notre Dame 24, Wisconsin 20

Money line

Pretty much all of my analysis for Notre Dame-Wisconsin is located in “narrative-ville”.

I’m a sucker for the “revenge game” angle, especially in football, and man, this is a heck of a “revenge game” spot for Notre Dame’s quarterback.

Fighting Irish super senior QB Jack Coan is using an additional year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-altered 2020 season to play for Notre Dame as a Wisconsin transfer.

Coan was replaced in Wisconsin for current starter QB Graham Mertz prior to the start of last season and rode the bench after starting every game for the Badgers in 2019. You have to figure part of Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly’s pitch to Coan was the Fighting Irish’s Week 4 meeting with the Badgers.

I think Wisconsin’s football program is typically overrated by the market just like its basketball program. I can’t totally figure out why this is the case, but the proof is there.

Since Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst took the reigns in 2015, the Badgers are 10-16 overall with a minus-2.8 margin of victory, and 10-16 ATS with a minus-2.3 spread differential, against ranked opponents. Also, Wisconsin is 5-5 overall and 5-5 ATS in neutral-site games in that span.

On the other hand, Notre Dame has been a low-key national powerhouse in the Kelly era. The Fighting Irish haven’t won any national titles but have appeared in a few College Football Playoffs and are an NFL factory.

Notre Dame has the fourth-most active players in the NFL whereas Wisconsin is 18th. The Fighting Irish are 16-8 overall in neutral-site games and 14-10 ATS since Kelly was hired in 2010.

Maybe Wisconsin is getting a boost in the market because it’s coming off a bye week and has extra time to prep for this national TV showdown. However, Wisconsin is 4-3 overall and 3-4 ATS with a rest advantage since 2015. Since 2010, Notre Dame is 22-6 overall and 16-12 ATS with a rest disadvantage.

“LEAN” to NOTRE DAME (+190) for a half unit because I like the Fighting Irish plus the points in this spot.

Against the spread

Definitely BET NOTRE DAME +5.5 (-108) heavier than or instead of the money line because of the analysis above. If it’s either-or, I’d go with the Fighting Irish getting points instead of outright.

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Over/Under

PASS with a slight “lean” to the Under 45.5 (-112) because the defense is each teams’ best unit, Wisconsin is 4-0 to the Under in its last four against teams with a winning record and the Under has cashed in Notre Dame’s last four games on a neutral field.

That said, my predicted score aligns with the oddsmakers’ projected total and we are getting to the Under party a little late as the market has steamed this total down from the 47-point opening number.

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Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-0) and Wisconsin Badgers (0-1) meet Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

The Eagles started out strong with a 35-15 win over St. Francis (PA), an FCS foe. Eastern Michigan rushed for 221 yards and five touchdowns. RB Darius Boone Jr. went for 107 yards and a score, while RB Samson Evans bulled his way in for three short TD runs.

The Badgers, No. 17 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, powered by USA TODAY Sports, fell at home to Penn State in the opener in Madison, 16-10. QB Graham Mertz threw for just 185 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He needs to be better and will be against a MAC foe.

Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 1:25 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: OTB
  • Against the spread (ATS): Eastern Michigan +25.5 (-108) | Wisconsin -25.5 (-112)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Wisconsin 45, Eastern Michigan 16

Money line

There was no money line at the time of publishing but it wouldn’t be worth pursuing anyway.

Against the spread

WISCONSIN -25.5 (-112) is going to try and get Mertz some confidence early, and you can expect some rather big numbers on offense after the Badgers looked listless on offense most of last week.

Facing Eastern Michigan +25.5 (-108) is the perfect elixir to cure their offensive ills, and not having to face Penn State’s suffocating defense also helps.

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Over/Under

OVER 52.5 (-107) is the best play on the board in this game. It might not seem like it after last week’s egg-laying, but Wisconsin has a decent offense. They’ll be able to move the ball well against Eastern Michigan in this bounce-back game. They have the potential to take care of the Over themselves but expect EMU to do a little bit of the lifting, too.

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Penn State at Wisconsin odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Penn State at Wisconsin odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Camp Randall Stadium will be jumping Saturday for a Big Ten matchup between the No. 20 Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, Wisc., at noon. ET. Below, we look at the Penn State at Wisconsin odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Penn State salvaged their 2020 season by winning (and covering) their last four games after dropping their first five. The defense gave up just 17 points per game during the win streak and finished top-30 in yards allowed against both the run and pass.

However, there are questions on offense as third-year QB Sean Clifford took a step back from his promising 2019 campaign. The Nittany Lions are on their third offensive coordinator in three years.

It’s a similar story for Wisconsin, which returns nine starters on an elite defense that allowed just 300 yards per game (fifth-best in the nation) and 17.4 points per game (9th) last year. The offense was brutal and averaged just 25 points per game as the run game yielded an un-Wisconsin-like 3.9 yards per carry (83rd in the country).

Penn State at Wisconsin odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Penn State +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Wisconsin -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Penn State +5.5 (-112) | Wisconsin -5.5 (-108)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Penn State at Wisconsin odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Wisconsin 24, Penn State 21

Money line

This should be a tight match between two evenly-matched teams with similar styles of play. Wisconsin holds a slight edge on defense, but Penn State has a bit more firepower on offense.

Home-field advantage might be the deciding factor, so a small-unit play on WISCONSIN (-230) feels like the right move.

Against the spread

We mentioned earlier that Penn State covered their last four games in 2020; we didn’t mention that Wisconsin failed to cover in their last four Big Ten conference games down the stretch.

This spread is too wide for what should be a close game so go with PENN STATE +5.5 (-112) to cover.

Over/Under

The 49.5 line seems inflated in a game featuring two of the conference’s best defenses, particularly in Week One when both offenses will be working out the kinks.

Take the UNDER 49.5 (-105) in what should be an old-fashioned Big Ten slugfest.

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Week 1 first look: Penn State at Wisconsin odds and lines; Badgers favored in key conference tussle

Previewing the college football Week 1 matchup between Penn State and Wisconsin, with odds, trends and head-to-head records.

The Penn State Nittany Lions and Wisconsin Badgers will lock horns and match wits in a Week 1 contest at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc. The Lions and Badgers will get things started Saturday at noon ET. Below, we look at the Penn State vs. Wisconsin odds and lines; check back for our college football picks and predictions.

Penn State opened the delayed 2020 season with five straight losses before rallying to win its last four games and go 4-5. The Lions ranked third in Big Ten scoring at 29.8 points per game; they ranked sixth in scoring defense (27.7 PPG). The No. 20 team in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll brought in Mike Yurcich to take the reins of the offense after he spent last season as offensive coordinator at Texas. Yurcich, returning QB Sean Clifford and company will have their hands full with a Badger defense that held foes under 20 points in 5 of 7 games last season.

Wisconsin is looking to win its sixth straight season opener. The Badgers went 4-3 last fall, holding foes to 17.4 PPG while scoring 25.1 PPG. That latter figure marked the lowest in Paul Chryst‘s six-year tenure at UW. The Badgers are tabbed as the No. 15 team in the preseason coaches’ poll; quality linebacking and defensive backfield play figure to give them an edge in this lid-lifting game against PSU.

Penn State at Wisconsin odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 7:42 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Penn State +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Wisconsin -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Penn State +5.5, -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Wisconsin -5.5, -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Total (Over/Under): 49.5, O: -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | U: -105 (bet $105 to win $100)

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2020 betting stats:

  • ML: Penn State 4-5 | Wisconsin 4-3
  • ATS: Penn State 4-5 | Wisconsin 3-4
  • O/U: Penn State 4-4-1 | Wisconsin 3-4

Penn State at Wisconsin head-to-head

PSU has won four straight and 6-of-7 in this series since 2007. Penn State is 6-3 ATS in its last nine games on the road.

The Badgers are 0-4 ATS in their last four conference games.

The Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings. Penn State holds a 10-9 edge across 19 all-time meetings.

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Wisconsin at Baylor Odds, Picks and Prediction

Previewing No. 9 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Baylor during the March Madness Tournament’s second round matchup.

The No. 3 Baylor Bears (22-2) are 6.5-point favorites as they look to build on an 11-game home win streak when they host the Wisconsin Badgers (17-12) this Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 2:40 PM ET at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The matchup airs on CBS. The matchup’s over/under is 136.5. Below, we analyze the Wisconsin-Baylor contest with college basketball betting odds and lines, picks and predictions.

In their last game, the Bears picked up a 79-55 win over Hartford but did not cover the 25.5-point spread they were favored by. The teams hit the under on the 138.5 point total set by sportsbooks. MaCio Teague racked up a team-high 22 points in the victory on Friday.

Brad Davison led the way for the Badgers with a team-high 29 points last time out as they picked up a 85-62 win over North Carolina and covered the 2-point spread as underdogs. The teams combined to go over the 136.5 point total set for the matchup.

Wisconsin at Baylor: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 11:55 AM ET on March 20, 2021.

  • Money line: Wisconsin +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Baylor -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Wisconsin +6.5 (-110) | Baylor -6.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 136.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Baylor: Three things to know

  • Jared Butler leads the Bears in scoring, averaging 17.0 points per game. Butler leads the squad with a team-high 2.6 made three-pointers per game.
  • The Bears record 20 more points per game (84.2) than the Badgers allow (64.2).
  • Baylor has a 23-1 record overall and a 13-0-1 record against the spread when scoring more than 64.2 points.

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Wisconsin: Three things to know

  • The Badgers points and assists leader is D’Mitrik Trice. He averages 13.9 points per game and dishes out 4.0 assists. Davison averages 2.0 made threes per game to lead the team.
  • The Badgers put up just 4.1 more points per game (70.1) than the Bears give up to opponents (66).
  • Wisconsin has put together a 15-4 overall record and an 11-0 ATS record in games where it scores more than 66 points.

Wisconsin at Baylor: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Baylor 75, Wisconsin 67

Money line

The Baylor Bears are favored to win this game by both BetMGM and the model.

Against the spread (ATS)

The MGM line for this game has the Bears favored by 6.5, while the model predicts they’ll win by slightly more (8.6 points).

Over/Under (O/U)

In this matchup, the model projects a total (142.2 points) a little higher than the MGM over/under (136.5 points).

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March Madness: Baylor vs. Wisconsin odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Baylor Bears vs. Wisconsin Badgers odds and lines, with March Madness Round 2 picks and predictions.

The top-seeded Baylor Bears (23-2) take on the Wisconsin Badgers (18-12) in a South Region second-round game Sunday. The matinée battle between the Bears and ninth-seeded Badgers tips off at 2:40 p.m. ET at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Below, we analyze the Baylor-Wisconsin odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

Baylor bolted past Hartford 79-55 in its first-round game. The Bears were sharp defensively, which was a concern for them entering this tournament after struggling down the stretch in the regular season. Senior G MaCio Teague knocked down four 3-pointers in scoring a game-high 22 points against Hartford. The Cincinnati native has averaged 24.5 points per game over his last four outings.

Wisconsin played perhaps its best game of the season in dismantling North Carolina 85-62 in the first round. The Badgers were 13-for-27 (48.1%) behind the 3-point arc in claiming their first victory of 20-plus points since Dec. 19. The senior backcourt tandem of G Brad Davison (29 points) and G D’Mitrik Trice (21) combined to net 50 points in the victory.

Baylor vs. Wisconsin: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:44 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Baylor -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Wisconsin +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Baylor -6.5 (-110) | Wisconsin +6.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 136.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Baylor vs. Wisconsin: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Baylor 72, Wisconsin 63

Money line (ML)

Baylor can struggle against teams that really bang the offensive glass. Wisconsin is not that type of team. The Bears are a definite lean, but a price north of -250 won’t bring enough value. PASS.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The Badgers play an extreme slow-down style. Against plodding teams in the Big 12 (Texas Tech, TCU, Kansas State, Oklahoma), the Bears went 6-0 ATS.

Wisconsin is 0-6 ATS in follow-up games after its last six ATS wins. With a number under 7, the Badgers look to be getting a bit too much attention coming off what was a clicking-on-all-cylinders game. Like a thoroughbred coming off a race with an idyllic trip – overrated.

Both sides can bomb away from distance, but BU is much better on perimeter defense. The Bears can also get out and double up the Badgers in transition buckets.

BACK THE BEARS -6.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

Was hoping for a 139-and-a-hook or something close. Gaming this one into the mid-130s makes sense. Respect to the public for being near the number. PASS.

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Wisconsin at North Carolina NCAA Tournament First Round Odds, Picks and Prediction

The No. 8 seed North Carolina Tar Heels (18-10) are a 1-point favorite in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the No. 9 seed Wisconsin Badgers (17-12) on Friday

The No. 8 seed North Carolina Tar Heels (18-10) are a 1-point favorite in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the No. 9 seed Wisconsin Badgers (17-12) on Friday at Mackey Arena. The matchup begins at 7:10 PM ET on CBS. Here are insights into this South Region 8-9 matchup to help you fill out your bracket.

On Friday, the Tar Heels faced Florida State and fell short by a score of 69-66. The Tar Heels failed to cover the spread as 2.5-point underdogs and the teams combined to hit the under on the 151 point total.

Last time out, D’Mitrik Trice scored 19 points as the Badgers fell short in a 62-57 loss to Iowa on Friday. The teams combined to score 119 points to hit the under on the 143.5 point total by bookmakers, while the Badgers were 5.5-point underdogs and covered the spread.

Rankings courtesy of Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Wisconsin at North Carolina: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 10:25 PM ET on March 17, 2021.

  • Money line: Wisconsin -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | North Carolina -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Wisconsin +1 (-110) | North Carolina -1 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 138.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

North Carolina: Three things to know

  • Armando Bacot leads the Tar Heels in scoring (12.3 points per game) and rebounding (8.0 rebounds per game). Kerwin Walton paces the squad with a team-high 2.0 made three-pointers per game.
  • The Tar Heels score 75.7 points per game, 11.4 more points than the 64.3 the Badgers allow.
  • North Carolina has an 18-8 record overall and a 13-0-1 record against the spread when scoring more than 64.3 points.

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Wisconsin: Three things to know

  • Trice leads the Badgers in points and assists. He contributes 13.7 points per game while adding 4.0 assists. Trice averages 2.0 made threes per game to lead the team.
  • The Badgers’ 69.6 points per game are only 0.2 more points than the 69.4 the Tar Heels allow to opponents.
  • Wisconsin has put together an 11-2 overall record and an 8-0 ATS record in games where it scores more than 69.4 points.

Wisconsin at North Carolina: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

North Carolina 70, Wisconsin 69

Money line

The model and BetMGM are in agreement that the North Carolina Tar Heels are the money line favorite in this matchup.

Against the spread (ATS)

The MGM line for this matchup is within 0.1 points of the model. Stay away from this one.

Over/Under (O/U)

MGM and the model are extremely close in their point total projections for this contest, within 1.0 point of each other.

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March Madness: North Carolina vs. Wisconsin odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Wisconsin Badgers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels odds and lines, with March Madness Round 1 picks and predictions.

The 9-seed Wisconsin Badgers (17-12) square off against the 8-seed North Carolina Tar Heels (18-10) in the first round of the South Regional at 7:10 p.m. ET in Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Below, we analyze the Wisconsin-North Carolina odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

North Carolina wrapped up its regular season 4-2 SU and ATS in the last six games. The Tar Heels then won and covered two ACC Tournament games before losing to East Regional 4-seed Florida State in the conference tourney semifinals.

Wisconsin struggled at the end of its season, losing seven of the previous 10 games (3-6-1 ATS) and is entering the Big Dance unranked after being in the Top 25 for a majority of the season.

The Badgers’ last three wins have come against sub-.500 teams including narrowly beating Penn State 75-74 as 6.5-point favorites in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

North Carolina vs. Wisconsin: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:45 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Wisconsin -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | North Carolina -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Wisconsin +1 (-110) | North Carolina -1 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 137.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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March Madness betting promotions 

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Bet now!

Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Bet now!

Offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

North Carolina vs. Wisconsin: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

North Carolina 73, Wisconsin 68

Money line (ML)

These teams have similar identities, but NORTH CAROLINA (-115) is bigger, more physical and is playing its best basketball entering the tournament.

Aside from Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams has the most postseason experience in the field. North Carolina has advanced to the Sweet 16 or further in four of its past five NCAA Tournament appearances.

Also, the Tar Heels are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five neutral site games as favorites and the Badgers are 0-3-1 ATS in their previous games in neutral venues.

Essentially, Williams does a better job getting his guys prepped for high-profile games. GIMME NORTH CAROLINA (-115) to advance.

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Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the spread since North Carolina -1 (-110) is only 5 cents cheaper on the dollar than its money line.

Over/Under (O/U)

North Carolina’s offense is 24th in average possession length and 1st in offensive rebounding rate (according to Ken Pom), which tells me the Tar Heels will score fast and get easy putbacks.

Even though Wisconsin plays at a snail’s pace, the Badgers have the 4th-best turnover rate and are one of the better 3-point shooting teams in the country. So, if North Carolina pushes the pace, I like Wisconsin to hang around by knocking down 3’s.

According to Pregame.com, more than 95% of the money is on the Under and that has steamed the total down from the 139-point opener. Typically, you’ll win money as a sports gambler if you blindly fade betting markets this one-sided.

I lean OVER 137.5 (-115) for a half unit and wait until closer to tip-off to perhaps get a cheaper total.

Want some action on this game or others? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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More 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. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Wisconsin vs. North Carolina odds: Tar Heels favored in March Madness Round 1

Previewing Friday’s Wisconsin Badgers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels odds and lines during their March Madness Round 1 matchup.

The 9-seed Wisconsin Badgers (17-12) meet the 8-seed North Carolina Tar Heels (18-10) in an NCAA South Region First Round game on Friday. The game tips off at 7:10 p.m. ET at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.

Below, we look at the early March Madness Round 1 matchup Wisconsin-North Carolina odds and lines. Will one of these teams end up as this year’s National Champion? Don’t forget to check out all of the teams’ March Madness odds.

Wisconsin has had an up-and-down season. The Badgers went 10-10 in conference play. They bowed out of the league tournament after one win and are just 2-6 in their last eight games. UW has shot just 39.2% from the field over that stretch.

The Badgers play a slow-paced brand of basketball, and they take good care of the rock. Wisconsin has one of the best turnover rates in NCAA-I. UW plays low-scoring games and the Badgers are 14-14-1 O/U in its 29 games.

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North Carolina went 10-6 in ACC play, finishing fifth in the 15-team circuit. UNC trots out a big lineup (four players 6-foot-10 or bigger in the rotation), one accomplished on the boards (best in the nation on the offensive glass), and on the inside game.

But, the Tar Heels struggle from distance (31.7% on 3-point attempts), and they can be inconsistent with their overall shooting. North Carolina often shoots over 50% from the floor or under 44% but rarely something in between, which is where most teams live.

UNC has won seven national championships (1924, 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017). Winning as an 8-seed would be a longshot: BetMGM odds for UNC winning it all are +5000 (50-to-1).

Wisconsin vs. North Carolina: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 12:12 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Wisconsin +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | North Carolina -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Wisconsin +2 (-110) | North Carolina -2 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

March Madness Betting promotions 

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Promo available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Place all of your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM Sportsbook. Bet now!

Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Promo available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Place all of your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM Sportsbook. Bet now!

Want some action on this game? 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.

More 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. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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