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College Basketball

Colgate Raiders vs. Wisconsin Badgers Picks, Predictions, Odds

Joe Hedrick Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

The Colgate Raiders (23-11) will take on the Wisconsin Badgers (24-7) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Friday's tipoff is scheduled for 9:50 PM ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and can be viewed on TBS.  

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Score Prediction

Wisconsin 74, Colgate 69 

Best Bet

Colgate +7.5 (-110)

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks | NIT Tournament Picks

MARCH MADNESS BETTING RESOURCES

COLGATE RAIDERS vs. WISCONSIN BADGERS PREDICTIONS

Colgate enters this matchup as champions of the Patriot League. The Raiders dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 38.6 PPG and allowing opponents just 62.3 PPG. After starting the season 4-10, Colgate completely turned their season around and went 16-1 in their last 17 games. Colgate's offense has been great, averaging 76.1 PPG throughout the season and 83.6 PPG in the Patriot League Tournament.  

Wisconsin lost to Michigan State 69-63 in the Big-10 quarterfinal and failed to cover as 3.5-point favorites. The Badgers leading scorer Johnny Davis had just 11 points and the team does not look the same when he doesn’t put up close to his average of 19.7 PPG. Wisconsin has now dropped two-straight including the final game of the regular season.  

The Badgers not winning a single game in the Big-10 Tournament had to be a letdown for the team. Meanwhile, Colgate has to be coming into this matchup with a ton of confidence after the performances they had in the Patriot League Tournament. Wisconsin could very well lose this game outright, but I will be sticking with Colgate and the points here just to be safe. 

COLGATE RAIDERS vs. WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

COLGATE RAIDERS vs. WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Date: Friday, March 18, 2022
  • Matchup: No. 14 vs. No. 3
  • Region: Midwest
  • Venue: Fiserv Forum
  • Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • TV-Time: TBS - 9:50 p.m. ET

COLGATE RAIDERS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 23-11
  • ATS: 17-15-1
  • O/U: 16-17

Colgate went above .500 ATS with a record of 17-15-1. The Raiders were great in the second half of the season, going 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games. The total has gone under in 17 of Colgate's 33 games this season. Following this trend, the total has gone under in seven of their last nine games when playing as the underdog.  

The Raiders like to spread the ball around on offense with five players averaging at least 10.0 PPG. On the season Colgate has averaged 76.1 PPG, 47.6 FG%, 40.3 3PT%, 17.2 APG, and 36.2 RPG. Senior guard Jack Ferguson led for the Raiders in the conference tournament averaging 20.6 PPG throughout. This team likes to shoot from beyond the arc and are efficient at doing so. I would expect Friday to be no different. 

 Colgate comes into this one after putting a stellar defensive performance in the Patriot League Tournament, allowing just 62.3 PPG. On the season, the Raiders have allowed opponents 67.1 PPG, 42.5 FG%, 33.4 3PT%, while averaging 6.2 SPG, and 3.7 BPG. The Raiders will need to limit Johnny Davis’s scoring in this one. If Johnny Davis has a big game, it could be a rough night for Colgate.  

WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 24-7
  • ATS: 17-14
  • O/U: 18-12-1

Wisconsin has gone 17-14 ATS this season. In their last 10 games the Badgers have gone 7-3 SU, 5-5 ATS, and had an O/U record of 5-4-1. Wisconsin has struggled when laying points recently, going 1-8 ATS in their last nine games when playing as the favorite. The total has gone over in 18 of Wisconsin’s 31 games this season. Going against this trend the total has gone under in three of their last four.  

The Badgers offense is led by sophomore guard Johnny Davis who averages 19.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 43.4 FG%. As a team, Wisconsin averages 70.7 PPG, 42.5 FG%, 31.2 3PT%, 11.1 APG, and 34.9 RPG. The Badgers have been consistent for the most part on the offensive end, but the key is Johnny Davis. If Davis doesn’t produce, their chances of winning decrease tremendously.  

Wisconsin has consistently held opponents to 66-74 points all season. Entering this matchup, they are allowing opponents 66.5 PPG, 42.5 FG%, 32.3 3PT%, while averaging 5.3 SPG, and 2.8 BPG.  Wisconsin will need to force Colgate to take unwanted shots. The Raiders are too consistent on offense to allow easy buckets.  

Wisconsin has seen 139 total points or less in 17 of its last 19 games on a neutral court. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - COLGATE RAIDERS

  • Record: 23-11
  • PS/G: 76.1 (53rd)
  • PA/G: 67.1 (117th)

INSIDE THE STATS - WISCONSIN BADGERS

  • Record: 24-7
  • PS/G: 70.7 (188th)
  • PA/G: 66.5 (102nd)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • COLG: Nelly Cummings - G (14.5 ppg)
  • COLG: Jack Ferguson - G (12.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
  • WIS: Johnny Davis - G (19.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg)
  • WIS: Brad Davison - G (14.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

COLGATE RAIDERS vs. WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING CONCLUSION

It’s been quite some time since the Patriot League has seen success in the NCAA Tournament, but Colgate may be the team that changes that. While Wisconsin has played great all season, I think Colgate comes into this one with a bit more momentum. I think the Raiders will lead this one at halftime with Wisconsin coming back and winning a close one. Taking Colgate and the points here.  

MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES

COLGATE RAIDERS vs. WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING TRENDS

  • Wisconsin has lost three of its last four NCAA Tournament games.
  • Colgate has lost four straight NCAA Tournament games.
  • Colgate has covered the spread in three straight games.
  • Colgate has won 15 straight games.
  • Colgate has gone OVER the point total in four of its last five games.

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