Hoosiers vs. Badgers: Big Ten Best Bet & Betting Preview

Indiana Hoosiers (14-8 SU, 12-10 ATS) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (17-5 SU, 14-8 ATS)

When: Tuesday, February 4th, 9:00 PM (ET)

Where: Kohl Center, WI, Madison

TV: PEAC

Point Spread: IND +9.5/WISC -9.5

Total: 150.5

Money Line: Indiana Hoosiers +357/-472

Notable Injuries

Hoosiers

• Kanaan Carlyle (Out) Undisclosed
• Gabe Cupps (Out) Lower Body
• Jakai Newton (Questionable) Undisclosed

Badgers

• Camren Hunter (Questionable) Undisclosed

Recent Form

Indiana’s season record now stands at 14-8 after an 81-76 road loss to Purdue on Friday. The Hoosiers went into the game as +12.5 point underdogs but managed to keep it closer than expected.

Indiana led 41-37 at halftime but allowed 44 points in the 2nd half while scoring 35. The total points for the game reached 157, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 145.5.

Wisconsin improved to 17-5 this season with a 75-69 win over Northwestern on Saturday. The Badgers, who were favored by 4.5 points, covered the spread in the victory. The game’s total points of 144 exceeded the O/U line of 141.5.

After trailing 31-25 at halftime, Wisconsin turned things around by scoring 50 points in the 2nd half while holding Northwestern to 38 points.

Analysis

Indiana’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their latest game, putting up 76 points while shooting 56.6% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 64.2%, thanks in large part to their 67.6% shooting on two-point attempts. From beyond the arc, the Hoosiers hit 7 of 19 threes, good for 36.8%, but struggled at the free-throw line, connecting on just 9 of 16 attempts (56.2%).

Offensive rebounding was a strength for Indiana, as they pulled down 12 boards on that end, and they dished out 14 assists as a team. Mackenzie Mgbako led the way with 25 points, hitting 3 of 8 threes, while Braden Smith added 24 points and seven assists. Trey Kaufman-Renn was highly efficient, shooting 10 of 13 from the field, and Trey Galloway also shot 70%, hitting 7 of 10 shots.

Indiana’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 81 points on 52% shooting from the field. They allowed 64% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 27 of 42 shots.

From beyond the arc, Indiana held their opponent to just 15% shooting, as they made only 2 of 13 three-point attempts. However, the opposing team went to the line 28 times, making 21 free throws (75%). Indiana also allowed 10 offensive rebounds.

In their latest game, Wisconsin put up 75 points, shooting 41.5% from the field. They hit 13 threes at a 40.6% clip and were strong at the line, making 18 of 21 free throws (85.7%).

John Tonje led the way with 27 points, hitting five threes, while Jalen Leach added 23 points and seven assists, shooting 5 of 8 from deep. The Badgers grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and dished out 13 assists as a team.

Wisconsin gave up 69 points, with their opponent shooting 42% from the field, hitting 25 of 59 attempts. Inside the arc, they went 14 for 31, shooting 45% on two-point attempts.

From three-point range, Wisconsin’s opponent connected on 11 of 28 shots, shooting 39%. They also made 8 of 9 free throws, shooting 88%. Wisconsin allowed seven offensive rebounds.

Betting Trends

• Although Indiana has a straight-up record of 4-6 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 72 points per game in these games.
• In their last three home games, Wisconsin has averaged 75 points per game while allowing 76. The team’s record in this stretch was 1-2 while going 2-1.
• Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, Indiana has an ATS mark of 3-2 while going 1-4 straight up.
• Through their last three games as the favorite, the Badgers have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 3-0.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Wisconsin has been a surprise team in the Big 10 this year, currently bunched up with a group of teams for 4th place in the conference with seven wins. As for Indiana, they have lost three straight but are coming off a game in which they played Purdue tough. It seems that every season, Wisconsin goes through a mid-season slump, and although they should win this one, I think that a line of -9.5 is way too high for this game. I like Indiana to cover +9.5.