Penn State vs. Wisconsin Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

• February 2, 2021
• By Thom Cunningham
• VegasInsider.com

The Penn State Nittany Lions look to keep their impressive play rolling, with a road game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Tip for the second game of a two-game series is set for 8:30 p.m. (ET) and will air on the Big Ten Network.

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Conference: Big Ten
• Venue: Kohl Center
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2021
• Time: 8:30 p.m. (ET)
• TV: BTN
• Bet: BetMGM | FanDuel | FOXBet |DraftKings | Best Sportsbooks

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Penn State-Wisconsin Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: Wisconsin -7
• Money-Line: Wisconsin -340 Penn State +280
• Total: 138.5

Odds Subject to Change

Wisconsin enters as the -7-point home favorite, as oddsmakers aren't shying away despite a Badger loss to Penn State already. Penn State beat Wisconsin in the first game, and is 7-6 on the ATS this season. Wisconsin is 8-9-1 on the ATS.

The point total is set at 138.5, which is essentially split. Penn State is 7-6 on the O/U, while Wisconsin is 10-8 to equate a 17-14 O/U between both schools.

Betting Analysis – Penn State Nittany Lions

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 6-7
• ATS: 7-6
• SU - Home: 5-2
• SU - Away: 1-5
• O/U: 7-6

Penn State is playing for its March Madness life, and doing a superb job. Penn State just beat Wisconsin, and already have a few quality wins in the short amount of games played. The offense has been terrific, averaging the 66th-most points at 77.1 - led by Myreon Jones.

Between Jones, Izaiah Brockington, Seth Lundy and Sam Sessoms this is a lethal offense. Jones and Brockington average over 15 points per game, while Lundy and Sessoms average 10.1 or more.

The play of Jamari Wheeler is often overlooked as the team's assist leader, while John Harrar is the senior leader with a near double-double average. This is an overlooked team that has tons of depth and plays the nation's toughest strength of schedule (16.46 rating ranks first out of 347).

For how physical Penn State is, they shoot the three-pointer very well. The Nittany Lions shoot 36.6% from beyond the arc, which ranks 69th nationally. They feature three players who attempt five or more three-pointers a game, along with four players who average 1.2 or more steals per game. Penn State ranks 45th nationally in steals per game (8.2).

Betting Analysis – Wisconsin Badgers

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 13-5
• ATS: 8-9-1
• SU - Home: 10-2
• SU - Away: 3-3
• O/U: 10-8

Wisconsin is tough to breakdown, mainly because they can go either way on any given night. One thing that is absolutely certain with the Badgers entering any game - they will try to draw charges. Wisconsin forces opponents into 11.4 turnovers per game, which ranks 32nd nationally.

The Badgers' have a stout defense, averaging the 25th-fewest amount of points per game, but struggle on offense time-to-time. D'Mitrik Trice has saved what has been an otherwise awful offensive season for senior Nate Reuvers, one of only two Badgers to average a double-digit point total.

Reuvers and Brad Davison should be averaging double-digit points but aren't, however, Aleem Ford has been a pleasant surprise with 9.6 points per game. The Badgers can shoot the three-pointer well, but have the 202nd-worst field goal percentage (43.7%) and the 255th-worst two-point percentage (48.2%).

The team struggles to create consistent offense, also evident by the 13.6 assists per game which ranks 158th. The Badgers are starting to slip, losing two of three games with a near slip to Maryland. The road doesn't get much easier either (Illinois, Michigan, Iowa all coming up), but the script for this team hasn't changed in a month or so.

Trice, Reuvers, Potter and Davison all need to be on the same page on the same night. Ford shouldn't have to score 15 points while seeing the other names with eight or fewer. In a nutshell, the playmakers need to start playing like it - all of them, on the same night.

Inside the Stats – Penn State Nittany Lions

• PS/G: 77.1 (66th)
• PA/G: 76.3 (294th)
• Off Rtg: 106.9 (82nd)
• Def Rtg: 105.9 (299th)

Inside the Stats – Wisconsin Badgers

• PS/G: 71.9 (178th)
• PA/G: 62.8 (25th)
• Off Rtg: 107.6 (75th)
• Def Rtg: 94 (64th)

Key Players to Watch

• PSU - Myreon Jones (15.8 PPG)
• PSU - Izaiah Brockinigton (15.2 PPG, 5 RPG)
• WIS - D'Mitrik Trice (14.1 PPG)
• WIS - Micah Potter (12.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG)

Penn State-Wisconsin Predictions

Wisconsin should be fine winning this game at home, as the spread is a bit generous. After losing and now returning home, expect the Badgers to turn it around and pick up the convincing win inside Kohl Center.

Wisconsin doesn't drop back-to-back games often, so go with the slightly better home team who typically plays better in Madison. Penn State is a sleeper though, as this team is advertised much worse than they actually are.

The point total should go OVER, considering both offenses should cross the 65-point territory. Penn State's offense is underrated, while Wisconsin was able to put up 71 in their first game. Although it won't be as high scoring as the first encounter, expect both teams to be able to cross the mid 60's.

• Score Prediction: Wisconsin 75 Penn State 67
• Best Bets: Wisconsin -7
• Best Bets: OVER

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