The Big Ten is carrying the water for Tuesday’s college basketball slate, as No. 1 Michigan collides with No. 7 Purdue. Plus, the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers (18-7) visit the Ohio State Buckeyes (16-9) in a matchup with NCAA Tournament implications.
Ohio State is firmly on the bubble watch and could boost its resume with a win tonight. The Badgers are 8-2 in the last 10 games, while the Buckeyes are just 5-5 in the split. What should we expect from Tuesday’s 8:30 p.m. ET matchup on Fox Sports 1?
Below, we’ll make a Wisconsin vs. Ohio State prediction and drop the spread and CBB player picks for PrizePicks.
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Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Prediction, Spread, CBB Picks
Wisconsin won the January 31 head-to-head matchup, 92-82. The Badgers are 7-3 in the last 10 clashes, but the two are even against the spread (ATS) at 5-5.
Ohio State is 2-4 ATS in the past six matchups, while Wisconsin has covered four consecutive contests. The over also sits at 7-3 in the Badgers’ last 10 appearances.
Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Over/Under, Spread
Tonight’s collision is viewed as a near pick ‘em, with Wisconsin favored by 1.5 points. In a matchup between productive offenses, the total is only 155.5 for Tuesday night.
- Spread: Wisconsin Badgers -1.5
- Over/Under: 155.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Wisconsin 1.69x | Ohio State 2x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Prediction for Total
The Badgers total 83.7 points per game (PPG), while the Buckeyes post 81.0 PPG. Furthermore, Wisconsin allows 60.6 shots per game (21st percentile), and Ohio State surrenders 59.2 field goal attempts per matchup (37th percentile).
Bart Torvik ranks the Badgers 15th in adjusted offensive efficiency and the Buckeyes 22nd. In a matchup between two of the Big Ten’s top offenses, fireworks could be ahead.
Wisconsin features a 3-point barrage, with a 51.1% shot distribution (98th percentile), 11.2 triples per game (98th percentile), and 31.7 attempted treys per contest (98th percentile). Ohio State, meanwhile, allows 24.1 3-point shots per matchup (33rd percentile) and a 40.7% shot distribution (38th percentile).
This matchup could turn into a 3-point contest, as Ohio State G Bruce Thornton (19.6 PPG) shoots 38.9% from beyond the arc. The Badgers surrender 24.4 attempted triples per game (28th percentile). However, Ohio State G John Mobley Jr. (15.1 PPG) is out due to a hand injury, and he leads the team with 7.3 shots from deep per game.
Will the Buckeyes score enough with their second-leading scorer absent? Opponents have a 50.6% effective field goal percentage (60th percentile) against Wisconsin, and OSU boasts a 55.5% effective field goal percentage (89th percentile).
According to Bart Torvik, Wisconsin and Ohio State rank 55th and 75th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Suspect defenses paired with plenty of shot attempts could mean points.
Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Picks for PrizePicks: Tuesday, February 17
Wisconsin G John Blackwell could continue his hot streak against OSU’s weak perimeter defense, and Ohio State G Bruce Thornton should see increased usage in Mobley’s absence. Which player projections on PrizePicks stand out for the star guards?
Wisconsin G John Blackwell vs. Ohio State Projection: 18.5 Points
- Blackwell leads Wisconsin with 7.1 3-point shots per game, while shooting an efficient 37.6% from deep.
- The junior guard is red-hot from beyond the arc in his last two games, cashing in 9-of-20 attempts (45.0%).
- In Mobley’s absence, Ohio State G Gavin Cupps could see increased minutes as Blackwell’s primary defender. Cupps’ -0.18 Defensive Bayesian Performance Rating (DBPR) is the worst mark in the Buckeyes’ rotation, per EvanMiya.
- Over the last five games, the Michigan native has averaged 22.2 PPG.
Ohio State G Bruce Thornton vs. Wisconsin Projection: 22.5 Points
- With Wisconsin in the 79th and 85th percentiles of dunk and close-two shot distributions allowed, Ohio State may look to increase its 3-point volume. Mobley is out, so Thornton has the team’s highest 3-point volume with 4.5 shots per game.
- Mobley missed February 14’s game, and Thornton stepped up with 28 points.
- The senior guard also posted 21 shots in Saturday’s loss against Virginia, increasing from Thornton’s 12.7 field goal attempts per game.
- Backed by 16.0 shots per matchup in the last three games, the Georgia native could have the ideal usage for his projected 22.5 points.
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Make Wisconsin vs. Ohio State CBB Picks on PrizePicks
If you like offense, Wisconsin-Ohio State could be a dream come true. Some of the nation’s best guards will be on display in tonight’s duel between efficient offenses.
Make your Wisconsin vs. Ohio State picks at PrizePicks, where you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right. Just choose players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit. You can make picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
Keep tabs on the Playbook for continued College Basketball predictions, picks, and news.
