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College Basketball

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Picks, Predictions, Odds

Kevin Rogers
Kevin Rogers Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read
Dec. 11, 2021
Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Wisconsin Badgers (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) travel to meet the Ohio State Buckeyes (7-2, 1-0) at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., and the game can be viewed on Big Ten Network.

Score Prediction

Ohio State 69, Wisconsin 65

Best Bets

Under 136.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Predictions

The Badgers roll into Columbus for this clash of Top 25 conference rivals with a six-game win and cover streak in tow. The only loss for Wisconsin came back on Nov. 15, a stunning 63-58 loss at home against Providence as the UNDER connected. Wisconsin won its Big Ten opener at home against Indiana on Wednesday, narrowly covering a 4.5-point number in the 64-59 victory as the UNDER hit. It was a miracle cover, though, as the Badgers found themselves down by 22 at one point before rallying against the Hoosiers.

The Buckeyes got off to a 4-2 start, losing a couple of games at Xavier and on a neutral-site floor against the Gators in a Southwest Florida tournament. However, they returned home and bounced then-No. 1 Duke by a 71-66 score, and they used that as a springboard into conference play for an emphatic 76-64 win at Penn State on Dec. 5. They'll be searching for a season-high fourth straight game here, and they'll get it against the sloth-like Badgers.

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Odds

  • Wisconsin +4.5 (-110)
  • Ohio State -4.5 (-110)
  • Over 136.5 (-110)
  • Under 136.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Big 10
  • Date: Saturday, December 11, 2021
  • Venue: Value City Arena
  • Location: Columbus, Ohio
  • TV-Time: BTN - 12:00 p.m. ET

Wisconsin Badgers Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 8-1
  • ATS: 7-2
  • O/U: 5-4

The Badgers invade the VCA in Columbus with a six-game win and cover streak since their only loss on Nov. 15. Wisconsin is also 5-1-1 ATS in the past seven on the road, while cashing in six straight against teams with a winning overall record.

As far as the total, generally UNDER plays are the way to go with Wisconsin, but the OVER is 11-5 in the past 16 games for the Badgers overall, while going 4-1 in its past five games on the road. The OVER is 7-1 in the past eight games against teams with a winning overall record, too.

These teams just once last season, with Ohio State coming away with a 74-62 victory in Madison, a game Wisconsin was favored by 5.5 points. The OVER just came through in the final minute of regulation, too.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 7-2
  • ATS: 4-5
  • O/U: 7-2

The Buckeyes are in search of a fourth consecutive victory, and looking to get back into the 'W' column in terms of ATS after a non-cover last time out against Towson, a game the Buckeyes were covering briefly with just under seven minutes to go. The good news is that Ohio State hasn't had consecutive non-covers since the first two games of the season on Nov. 9-12 against Akron and Niagara.

Ohio State was pinpoint in the shooting department, knocking down 27-of-47 shots (57%) from the field, including 10-of-23 (43%) from behind the 3-point line, while hitting 21-of-25 (84%) from the free-throw line. The team's big dog, E.J. Liddell, managed to racked up 15 points with seven rebounds and three assists, but he also committed an unseemly seven turnovers. In fact, the rest of the team had a total of just six, so that's something Liddell will need to clean up.

As far as totals, it's all about the OVER for Ohio State, too. The OVER has hit in seven of the past eight games overall, while hitting in six of the past seven against winning teams.


The Ohio State Buckeyes have cashed the OVER in seven of the past eight games overall. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Wisconsin Badgers

  • Record: 8-1
  • VI Ranking: 24
  • PS/G: 69.9 (231st)
  • PA/G: 59.1 (28th)
  • ORtg: 105.7 (122nd)
  • DRtg: 89.4 (64th)

Inside the Stats - Ohio State Buckeyes

  • Record: 7-2
  • VI Ranking: 16
  • PS/G: 76.0 (107th)
  • PA/G: 68.9 (194th)
  • ORtg: 112.1 (39th)
  • DRtg: 101.6 (267th)

Key Players to Watch

  • WIS: Jonathan Davis - G (20.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 SPG)
  • WIS: Brad Davison - G (15.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 83.8 FT%)
  • OHST: E.J. Liddell - F (19.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.1 BPG, 2.6 RPG)
  • OHST: Kyle Young - F (10.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 52.9 3P%)

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Conclusion

This is going to be your typical Big Ten game. It isn't going to be terribly pretty, there is going to be plenty of defense, and it is going to come down to the final minute of regulation. The past two games in Columbus have went to the visiting Badgers, and head coach Greg Gard has steered Wisconsin to a 5-3 record vs. Ohio State since be took over in Madison.

The Buckeyes are going to be missing a little depth, as G Eugene Brown III (concussion), F Justice Sueing (abdominal) and F Seth Towns, all role players, will be sidelined for this one. That puts a lot of pressure on the starters to produce, and to stay out of foul trouble. But I think Ohio State snaps an 0-2 SU mini-skid against Wisconsin. The Buckeyes have played up and down to the competition so far this season. They have a good opponent visiting and they'll be ready.

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends

  • Wisconsin is 6-0 ATS in the past six games overall.
  • Wisconsin is 5-1-1 ATS in the past seven road games.
  • Ohio State is 2-8 ATS in the past games at home.
  • The OVER is 11-5 in the past 16 games for Wisconsin.
  • The OVER is 4-1 in the past five road games.
  • The OVER is 7-1 in the past eight games overall for Ohio State.
  • The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past meetings in this series.

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Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers

Kevin has been handicapping professionally since 2007 at VegasInsider before shifting to ScoresAndOdds. He focuses on MLB, NFL, college football, NBA, college basketball, and NHL and mainly uses trends, systems, and situations as his top handicapping angles. More from Kevin Rogers
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