Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Dec. 8, 2021

Joe Hedrick
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Indiana Hoosiers (7-1) will play the Wisconsin Badgers (7-1) on Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin and will broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Score Prediction

Wisconsin 73, Indiana 65

Best Bets

Wisconsin -3.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Predictions

The Indiana Hoosiers are 7-1 SU on the season with its only loss coming from Syracuse in double OT. Following the loss, they were able to bounce back in a conference match-up against Nebraska, winning 68-55. The offense has been stellar to start with an average of 80 PPG. Don’t expect them to score as much Wednesday night going against a Wisconsin team allowing just 59 PPG.

Wisconsin is currently ranked 22nd with its only loss of the season coming to The Providence Friars. Since the loss, they have gone 5-0 including a win against the 12th ranked Houston Cougars. The Badgers looked great in their most recent game, defeating Marquette 89-76. This is Wisconsin's first of two conference games this week as they will take on #21 Ohio State on Saturday (12/11).

This is looking to be a hard-fought game but I like Wisconsin to win + cover. It will be no easy task but with home court advantage and Ohio State looming ahead, the Badgers should have the motivation they need.

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Wisconsin -3.5 (-110)
• Indiana +3.5 (-110)
• Over 132.5 (-110)
• Under 132.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Big 10
• Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021
• Venue: Kohl Center
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• TV-Time: BTN - 7:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

Indiana Hoosiers Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 7-1
• ATS: 5-3
• O/U: 2-6

The Hoosiers are treating bettors with a nice return with a 5-3 ATS record. The total has been a different story for OVER bettors with a 2-6 O/U record. Talking about Wednesday nights matchup, head coach Mike Woodson had this to say, “We’ve got to play a lot of ball movement and body movement. That’s going to be the key.”

Indiana’s offense is centered around sophomore forward Trayce Jackson-Davis who is averaging 21 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and shooting 64.4% from the field. Jackson-Davis is the key to the Hoosiers success. Aside from Jackson-Davis, they don’t necessarily have a second big scorer. For most teams this may be concerning, but Indiana is averaging 15.8 APG and shooting 49% from the field. They love to get the ball to whomever is open, simple as that. Expect that to be the same game-plan Wednesday night.

Indiana’s defense will have its hands full against the Badgers. They have looked solid up until this point by allowing just 63 PPG, but this will be its toughest opponent yet. Wisconsin is not a team that turns the ball over a whole lot, averaging just nine turnovers per game. Indiana will need to focus on contesting shots and rebounding the ball to prevent any extra possessions for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Badgers Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 7-1
• ATS: 6-2
• O/U: 5-3

Bettors should have confidence backing Wisconsin who have a 6-2 ATS record to date. The total has gone over in five of their eight games. In this game we can expect Wisconsin to focus on stopping TJD. In terms of the team being ready for Wednesday night's game, head coach Greg Gard said, “I think we’re ready for it, or as ready as we can be.”

Wisconsin’s offense is led by sophomore guard Johnny Davis. Davis has been averaging 20 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 2.4 APG. As a team, the Badgers average 70.6 PPG on 41.4% shooting from the field. Senior guardBrad Davison is also another key part of the Badgers offense. Davison is averaging 15.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, while shooting 40% from the field. Look for Wisconsin to try and get Davison some early shots as he has the ability to ignite the offense.

Wisconsin’s defense has allowed just 59.1 PPG. They will need to continue that trend against an Indiana team that has scored an average of 80.4 PPG. Aside from slowing Jackson-Davis, the Badgers will also need to focus on blocking out Indiana forward Race Thompson Jr.

Thompson Jr. has been a monster on the boards, averaging 8.9 RPG. When head coach Greg Gard was asked about what is he focusing on against Indiana, Gard said, “We’ll just have to try and do the things we’ve done well and continue to get better as we march into conference play.”

Wisconsin has covered the spread in five straight games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Indiana Hoosiers

• Record: 7-1
• VI Ranking: 33
• PS/G: 80.4 (49th)
• PA/G: 63.8 (91st)
• ORtg: 105.9 (121st)
• DRtg: 84 (13th)

Inside the Stats - Wisconsin Badgers

• Record: 7-1
• VI Ranking: 24
• PS/G: 70.6 (214th)
• PA/G: 59.1 (29th)
• ORtg: 106.4 (112th)
• DRtg: 89.1 (65th)

Key Players to Watch

• IND – Trayce Jackson-Davis - F (21 ppg, 8.6 rpg)
• IND – Race Thompson, Jr. - F (10 ppg, 8.9 rpg)
• WIS – Jonathan Davis - G (20.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
• WIS – Brad Davison - G (15.9 pgg, 4.5 rpg)

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Conclusion

The Big 10 conference will more than likely be a constant battle throughout the season. For this reason, I am backing the Badgers with the home court advantage. This will play a key-role in all Big 10 games moving forward. It’s no hidden secret that momentum in college basketball can be the difference between a win and a loss. Or from a gambling stand-point, home-court advantage can be the difference between covering and not. Backing the Badgers in this one.

Bettors should keep an eye on the total but proceed with caution. Both Indiana and Wisconsin have been scoring the ball efficiently with a combined total of 151 PPG. The catch here is that the defenses combined are allowing only 122.9 PPG. With not many Big 10 games to go off of, I will be staying away from the total in this one.

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends

• Wisconsin has covered the spread in five straight games.
• Indiana has gone UNDER the point total in six of its last eight games.
• Wisconsin has covered the spread in five of its last seven games when playing as the favorite.

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