The Northwestern Wildcats, as do the Wisconsin Badgers, seem to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Both teams started the season hot but have limped home to the finish line for various reasons. The Wildcats have had to overcome injury issues, especially the loss of Ty Berry. Northwestern has continued to battle behind an excellent coach Chris Collins and one of the top guards in the country Boo Buie. At the start of January, Wisconsin looked like a two-seed in March Madness, then they hit a disastrous losing streak. The Badgers looked good in a close loss at Purdue, and then in yesterday’s tournament win, looked like they did early in the year when they defeated Marquette.
Odds Wisconsin vs Northwestern
- Point Spread: Wisconsin -3.5
- Moneyline Wisconsin -155
- Moneyline Northwestern+135
- Over/Under 157.5
These odds were updated at 5 am EST on 03/15/24; the odds came from Draft Kings.
Our Best Pick: Wisconsin to Cover
Both teams are in the NCAA Tournament; neither can score, and neither plays great defense. Losing Nicholson is bad, and losing Berry is even worse, and I look for Wisconsin to dominate much of this game. Don’t undersell a well-coached team with one of the best guards in the country in Boo Buie; I think Wisconsin is a more evenly-balanced team right now and should slowly pull away to win this game and advance to Saturday’s semi-final.
- Badgers playing well as of late
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Injuries have hurt Wildcats
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Wisconsin roster is deeper
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Wisconsin vs Northwestern Moneyline
I have little doubt that Wisconsin will win this game, so a money-line bet should go on the Wisconsin side, but I still prefer the Badgers and the points because of the better value.
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Badgers on a roll
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Wildcats shorthanded
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Bet the Badgers to Cover
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Wisconsin vs Northwestern Over/Under Analysis
These two teams score a lot of points and struggle to play defense, so I would lean towards the other side on this one. I would sty off the over/under in this game.
- The Badgers have the advantage in the paint
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Both Teams shoot the ball well
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Both teams hit the over a lot
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Wisconsin vs Northwestern Spread Analysis
The spread is about right. Both teams havestruggled, but the Badgers are starting to come on.
Tip: Bet Wisconsin to Cover
- Good Value on the Spread
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Wisconsin playing better
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The Paint will be will be the differencee
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Wisconsin vs Northwestern State Head to Head
Wisconsin won the earlier matchup between these teams 71-63 and have won five of the last seven meetings between these teams.
Injuries and Suspensions
Wisconsin Injury Report
- I. Lindsay- Questionable
- I. Gard- Out
Northwestern Injury Report
- T. Berry- Out
- M. Nicholson- Out
- P. Strauss- Out
Conclusion
The Badgers looked like a possible top-ten team in the first two months of the season. Then they hit a bad spell and have been holding on to just being a mid-seeded team in March Madness. In the last two weeks, they have started to play better, and the win over Maryland was impressive. The Badgers should win this game comfortably: Wisconsin 84, Northwestern 74.
