Michigan State Spartans vs Wisconsin Badgers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/26/2024

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, January 26, 2024

Venue:  Kohl Center, Madison, WI 

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  MSU +3.5, Wisconsin -3.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  MSU +3.5, Wisconsin -3.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  MSU +3.5, Wisconsin -3.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

Michigan State Spartans:  12-7 (4-4) (6th place, Big Ten)

Wisconsin Badgers:  15-4 (7-1) (1st place, Big Ten)

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Michigan State Spartans:  3-2  last 5

Wisconsin Badgers:  4-1  last 5

Michigan State is entering this game with a 12-7 record overall, a 4-4 record in conference games, and they are 1-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Maryland Terrapins in their last game. Tyson Walker led the team in points per game in that game with 15 while Malik Hall, AJ Hoggard, and Tre Holloman each were next on the team with 12. Tyson Walker led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Malik Hall led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 42% from the field, 43.8% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 65.2 PPG against them. Michigan State has an ATS record of 10-8-1 this season and their O/U record is 9-10.

Wisconsin is entering this game with a 15-4 record overall, a 7-1 conference record, and they are 10-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their last game. Tyler Wahl led the team in points in that game with 16 while AJ Storr was next on the team with 15. Tyler Wahl and Chucky Hepburn each led the team in assists with 4 in that game while AJ Storr led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 42.6% from the field, 41.2% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 75.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.9 PPG against them. Wisconsin has an ATS record of 10-8-1 this season and their O/U record is 10-9.

The current betting odds have Wisconsin listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Wisconsin has looked great in their games this season with their 15-4 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country. They have also looked great in the conference with their 7-1 conference record which has them leading the Big Ten right now. Meanwhile, Michigan State has looked good in their games this season with their 12-7 record overall but they were ranked coming into the season and just haven't looked great in their games this year. They have struggled in the Big Ten with their 4-4 conference record and they haven't been any better in road games with their 1-3 road record. Wisconsin has looked great in their home games all season with their 10-1 home record and they are making a case right now as to why they could be the team to beat in the Big Ten this year. Wisconsin also knows that they can't afford to drop many games with Purdue right on their tail in the conference so they have to take advantage of their home games like these, especially when they are playing a team that hasn't quite lived up to expectations. The best way to place a bet here is on Wisconsin to cover the spread in this game. 

Michigan State Wisconsin Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, January 26, 2024 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Wisconsin 86 Michigan State 78.

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Michigan State Spartans: 14-25 ATS as a road underdog of 3 points or less or pick. 1-7 ATS after a close win by 3 points or less. 26-15 UNDER in a road game where the total is 140 to 144.5. 5-1 UNDER after 5 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers.

Wisconsin Badgers: 17-8 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 5-1 ATS after allowing 60 points or less. 9-5 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins. 25-15 UNDER off a close win by 3 points or less over a conference rival. 10-4 UNDER after 2 straight games making 78% of their free throws or better.

Michigan State Spartans:  D. Smith (G) Ques Fri - Undisclosed. G. Normand (G) Out indefinitely - Foot. J. Fears Jr (G) Out indefinitely - Leg.

Wisconsin Badgers:  K. McGee (G) Ques Fri - Foot. G. Yalden (F) Out indefinitely - Personal.

“I wouldn’t be normally satisfied, but right now we needed a road win and being in it 39 years you kind of realize that an ugly win is much better than a pretty loss. It was an ugly win and they deserve some credit for making it ugly, we deserve some blame for letting that… lead disappear like it did. I’m just happy we got a win and move on.” - Tom Izzo after his team’s win against Maryland in their last game on Sunday.

“He’s been on such a tear offensively that people forget he’s a tough-nosed defender first and foremost. He just made plays when we needed them.” - Greg Gard after his team’s win against Minnesota in their last game on Tuesday.

J. Akins 

M. Hall 

A. Hoggard 

M. Sissoko 

T. Walker

S. Crowl 

C. Hepburn 

M. Klesmit 

A. Storr 

T. Wahl

PPG: T. Walker (19.7)

APG: A. Hoggard (5)

Reb/G: M. Sissoko (6.6)

PPG: A. Storr (15.3)

APG: C. Hepburn (3.9)

Reb/G: S. Crowl (7.5)

Coaches:

Michigan State Spartans: Tom Izzo (29th season)

Wisconsin Badgers: Greg Gard (9th season)