The Wisconsin Badgers (7-1, 1-0 Big Ten) will be celebrating Christmas Day with a trip to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans (6-1, 0-1 Big Ten). The Badgers’ lone loss this season came at Marquette back on December 4. Their biggest win so far this season has been an 85-48 romp over then-#23 Louisville, and the Badgers opened Big Ten play with a 14-point home win over Nebraska on Tuesday. The Spartans have some impressive wins on their 2020-21 resume, with a ten-point win over Notre Dame and a six-point win over then-#6 Duke. Their trip to then-#18 Virginia was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, but their defense started showing cracks in a 109-91 win over Oakland. They started Big Ten play with a 79-65 loss at Northwestern. Which of these Big Ten basketball titans will prevail on Christmas?
Read our preview before you make your online NCAA basketball betting choice.
NCAAB: #9 Wisconsin at #12 Michigan State
When: Friday, December 25, 2020, 12:30pm ET
Where: Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI
TV: FOX
Radio: No National Radio
Live Stream: ESPN+
NCAAB Odds: Wisconsin -1.5 / O/U 140
Why should you bet on the Badgers?
On the season, the Badgers have played more consistent ball than the Spartans, including play in recent weeks. In their win over Nebraska, though, they opened by going 1 of 16 from the floor and only had three points in the first 11 minutes of the game. Luckily, their defense kept order; at the 10-minute mark of the first half, Nebraska was up just 7-3 and was only able to stretch that lead to ten during the Wisconsin scoring drought. Brad Davison ended up leading Wisconsin with 15 points and seven assists, a career best. Micah Potter put up 10 points and 11 boards, playing a key role in a 16-0 run after halftime. Aleem Ford put up 13 points and eight rebounds, and Nate Reuvers added 10 points. On the day, Wisconsin ended up shooting 40 percent, a number that will have to be higher against Michigan State.
Wisconsin has covered in three of their last six games coming after a game in which they failed to cover the spread. They will encounter a physical defense in Michigan State, but the Badgers also have the ability to play shutdown D themselves. It is interesting that Wisconsin is a road favorite here, but that likely has a lot to do with the Spartans’ surprising loss to Northwestern. If you like the Badgers, you see Michigan State struggling again.
Why should you put your money on the Spartans?
In that loss to Northwestern (which was the first time the Wildcats had beaten the Spartans since 2012), Michigan State had some rust after having just played twice since December 7. Aaron Henry led the way with just 11 points, and Malik Hall had 10 points and 9 rebounds. Michigan State shot only 39 percent from the floor. Head coach Tom Izzo criticized himself for failing to prepare his team but also noted the missed assignments on defense as well as a poor rebounding effort.
The Spartans have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five home games, but in this rivalry, the home team has covered in eight of their last 11 encounters. Wisconsin may have the better roster and has had more consistency, but if you like the Spartans, you see them bouncing back after that loss in the Big Ten opener and Izzo having his team ready for this challenge.
Final Score and Prediction
On paper, the Badgers have the better team, but this is one of those Big Ten rivalries that are likely to depend on the home floor, even with limitations on attendance. I see Michigan State coming out ready to play after losing their Big Ten opener, and so I really like that spread favoring the Badgers. I predict a final score of Michigan State 71, Wisconsin 66.
College Basketball Betting Odds
Love betting NCAA basketball? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date college basketball lines
