Posted on
1/2/2008 3:55:57 PM
Bet On College Basketball – No. 24 Wisconsin at Michigan
By Eric Williams
The Wisconsin Badgers, (10-2 SU, 5-4 ATS, 3-6 O/U), are coming off a thrilling victory over one of the nation’s top teams in Texas, winning 67-66 on the road on Saturday to improve to a solid 10-2 on the season.
The young Michigan Wolverines, (4-8 SU, 1-9 ATS, 7-3 O/U) are starting over with a new head coach in veteran NCAA head coach John Bielein who has his work cut out in rebuilding the Wolverines’ basketball program to the national stature that it once held.
The 24th-ranked Badgers open their Big Ten schedule tonight against a Michigan squad that is off to its worst start in more than 25 years despite their new head coach’s highly-regarded reputation.
Winners of four consecutive games, Wisconsin is facing a Michigan team that has lost six of its last seven games, including a 69-54 defeat against UCLA on Dec. 22 in their last contest.
The Badgers however, may be without leading scorer Trevon Hughes, (15.1 ppg) who missed the Texas game with a sprained ankle and is questionable for tonight’s matchup.
Michigan is led by 6-5 freshman guard Manny Harris who is averaging 15.7 points per game but shooting a pathetic 37 percent from the field.
Wisconsin is averaging 72.2 points per game on 46.0 percent shooting while Michigan averages 67.2 points per game on 42.2 percent shooting.
Wisconsin also has one of the nation’s best defenses, limiting opponents to just 54.1 points per game on an eye-opening 37.4 percent shooting from the field while Michigan’s defense has been almost non-existent, allowing 71.6 points per game on 44.7 percent shooting.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my NCAA Basketball Betting Free Pick:
Key Badgers Trends
The Badgers are 4-1 ATS in their last five Wednesday games.
The Badgers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a S.U. win.
The Badgers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a ATS win.
Key Wolverines Trends
The Wolverines are 6-18-1 ATS in their last 25 games overall.
The Wolverines are 4-16 ATS in their last 20 games following a double-digit loss at home.
The Wolverines are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-0 in Badgers last four overall.
The Under is 6-1 in Badgers last seven vs. Big Ten.
The Over is 6-0 in Wolverines last six vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Over is 7-1 in Wolverines last eight games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Over is 6-0 in the last six meetings.
The Home team is 8-2 ATS in the last ten meetings.
The Favorite is 8-3 ATS in the last eleven meetings.
Analysis: Don’t ask me why this line is so low for the Badgers – even on the road – but I say this game is an absolute lock and college basketball bettors had better jump right on them.
NCAAB Free Picks: Wisconsin -7.5 Points
07:00 PM EST NCCA Basketball Odds
Wisconsin -7½ -110
Michigan +7½ -110
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