Spartans vs Badgers CBB Basketball Spread/Handicapping
The Big Ten is loaded at the top this year, so much so that the Spartans might only be the 4th best team in the conference. They enter this tough road environment on a 5 game winning streak including beating a tough Ohio State team over the weekend.
#18 Michigan State Spartans (16-3) vs Wisconsin Badgers (13-5)
Tuesday January 22
Kohl Center – Madison, WI
7:00PM
Moneyline: No ML currently listed
Spread: Wisconsin -6
O/U: 123 at Sportsbook.ag
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Michigan State
On the road they are just 1-2 ATS in conference and 1-4 ATS overall.
Winning at Wisconsin isn’t easy but the Spartans pulled it off last year in overtime, one of three wins against the Badgers in 2012.
The Spartans have one of the best inside out combo’s in the league. Point guard Keith Appling is a gutsy player who doesn’t mind drawing contact on his forays to the hoop while sophomore center Adrien Payne doesn’t mind dishing out punishment to those in the lane both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
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Payne has improved offensively this year but should put up better rebounding numbers – he hasn’t cracked double figures in a league game yet.
The Spartans have been just an awful bet this year. Their straight up record is 16-3 but they are a tragic 5-10-1 ATS.
Still I like this team any time they are in an underdog role. You know they are going to be well coached and Tom Izzo has had success against the Badgers. That +6 is a ton of value on a Tuesday.
Wisconsin
The Badgers were making everyone feel so stupid for doubting them after they controlled the game in an upset of Indiana last week…but then they went to and lost at Iowa. These Badgers are good but not exactly oozing with talent and now you have to wonder about consistency. They return home looking to prove a point against Michigan State.
I expect that we will see more of what we are used to from Bo Ryan’s team. [ad-6571516]
The Badgers get it done with continuity and commitment as opposed to overwhelming individual talent. The lone exception is freshman forward Sam Dekker who is freakishly athletic although still a bit raw.
He has shown some more consistency of late scoring 10 points or better in three straight games for the first time in his career.
The Badgers have pretty good depth and always get after it on the board, this one should be pretty physical.
Wisconsin has been almost as bad a bet at 6-10 ATS this season. They have already lost a game outright at home and are 2-3 ATS in conference play.
Normally their grind it out style really wears on a team but I think it is less effective on the Spartans because they are just as happy to play ugly basketball.
Spread Pick: Michigan State +6
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Michigan State 66 – Wisconsin 60
