MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. WISCONSIN BADGERS PICKS, PREDICTIONS, ODDS

The Michigan Wolverines (14-10, 8-6 Big-10) will travel to take on the Wisconsin Badgers (20-5,11-4 Big-10) Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin and can be viewed on CBS 

SCORE PREDICTION

Wisconsin 70, Michigan 67 

BEST BETS

Wisconsin –2.5 (-110) at DraftKings

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. WISCONSIN BADGERS PREDICTIONS

The Michigan Wolverines are coming off an 84-79 road victory against Iowa. The Wolverines shot just 20% from beyond the arc but managed to shoot 50% from the field, grab 40 rebounds, and dish out 21 assists. On the defensive end, Michigan held Iowa to 22% shooting from three and had seven steals. Michigan has now won three of their last four, and are currently seventh in the Big-10 with an 8-6 conference record. 

The 15th ranked Wisconsin Badgers come into this game after defeating Indiana on the road 74-69. Sophomore guard Johnny Davis led the way for the Badgers with 30 points and 12 rebounds. The close win against Indiana gives Wisconsin a 12-1 record in games decided by six points or less this season. The Badgers are off to their best start since 2016-2017, and are currently second in the Big-10 with an 11-4 conference record. 

This will be the first time these teams have met this season. The last matchup was February of last year, a game Michigan won 67-59. The Wolverines have won three of the last five games against Michigan, dating back to the 2018-2019 season. I like the Badgers at home in a close game throughout. Johnny Davis has been playing excellent and Wisconsin has been pretty dominant at home this season. Backing the Badgers at –2.5.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING ODDS

• Michigan +120
• Wisconsin -140
• Michigan +2.5 (-110)
• Wisconsin -2.5 (-110)
• Over 138.5 (-105)
• Under 138.5 (-115)

More Odds | Futures Odds

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Big 10
• Date: Sunday, February 20, 2022
• Venue: Kohl Center
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• TV-Time: CBS - 1:00 p.m. ET

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

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 14-10
• ATS: 10-14
• O/U: 13-11

Michigan has disappointed bettors with a 10-14 record ATS. In their last five games the Wolverines are 3-2 SU and ATS. They have seen recent success covering against Wisconsin, posting a 7-2 ATS record in their last nine matchups against the Badgers. The total has gone over in 13 of Michigan’s 24 games played including seven of the last 10 and four of their last five on the road. 

Wisconsin will be the sixth ranked opponent Michigan has faced this season. The Wolverines are 1-4 against ranked opponents with their only win coming against Purdue. The offense has averaged 67 PPG during these games, however, on the season Michigan has averaged 72.6 PPG (147th), 47.1 FG% (39th), 34.3 3PT% (156th), 14.6 APG (81st), and 36.2 RPG (128th). Senior guard DeVante Jones has been playing great for the Wolverines as of late with two double doubles in his last three games. 

Michigan’s defense has allowed 71.8 PPG against ranked opponents, a bit above their season average. Throughout the season Michigan has given up 68.3 PPG (155th), 43.5 FG% (206th), 30.7 3PT% (58th), while averaging 4.5 SPG (336th), and 2.8 BPG (221st). Expect the Wolverines to put a ton of pressure on Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis throughout the entire contest. 

WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 20-5
• ATS: 14-11
• O/U: 16-9

Wisconsin has been profitable this season with a 14-11 ATS record. The Badgers have struggled covering as of late, going 2-6 ATS in their last eight and just 1-4 ATS in their last five games at home. The total has gone over in 11 of Wisconsin’s last 15 games and 16 times on the season. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in four of the last five games against Michigan. 

The Badgers offense is led by sophomore guard Johnny Davis who is averaging 20.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 2.4 APG. As a team, Wisconsin is averaging 71 PPG (181st), 42.3 FG% (263rd), 31.1 3PT% (301st), 11.2 APG (301st), and 35.4 RPG (170th). Aside from Johnny Davis, senior guard Brad Davidson is having the best season of his career. Davidson is averaging 14.7 PPG and has been shooting 36.5 3PT% during conference play, a much-needed boost for a team shooting 31.1% from beyond the arc. 

The defense has played a large part in the Badgers success this season. Entering this matchup Wisconsin is allowing 66.5 PPG (104th), 43.5 FG% (209th), 33.5 3PT% (181st), while averaging 5.2 SPG (303rd), and 2.8 BPG (234th). The Badgers will need to lock in on center Hunter Dickinson for the Wolverines who has been playing fantastic basketball this year. 
Wisconsin has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight games. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

• Record: 14-10
• PS/G: 72.6 (150th)
• PA/G: 68.3 (160th)
• ORtg: 108.1 (60th)
• DRtg: 101.6 (238th)

INSIDE THE STATS - WISCONSIN BADGERS

• Record: 20-5
• PS/G: 71 (184th)
• PA/G: 66.5 (106th)
• ORtg: 104.8 (139th)
• DRtg: 98.1 (151st)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• MICH: Hunter Dickinson - C (17.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
• MICH: Eli Brooks - G (12.4 ppg)
• WIS: Johnny Davis - G (20.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
• WIS: Brad Davison - G (14.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING CONCLUSION

I like Johnny Davis and the Badgers to win plus cover here. While the Badgers have not been great ATS lately, I think they handle business at home in this one. If this game were in Ann Arbor, I would more than likely be backing Michigan, but with the game being in Madison I’ll lay the points with the Badgers in this matchup. 

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING TRENDS

• Wisconsin has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight games. 
• The point total has gone UNDER in three of its last four games.