Michigan St. vs. Wisconsin: Preview, odds and best bets

Two powerhouse Big 10 basketball schools meet in Madison on Friday night when the Badgers (15-4, 7-1 in the Big 10) host the Spartans (12-7, 4-4). NCAA basketball betting sites have the Spartans as slight underdogs, and your bet on the moneyline or spread could net you a positive return.

Here are the odds for the game courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

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The last meeting between these schools, on December 5 saw the Badgers capture a 70-57 victory at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. In an overpowering performance, Wisconsin led the entire game, paced by A.J. Storr’s 22 points.

On Friday, in the cheesy comforts of Madison, the Badgers are 2.5-point favorites across Michigan sportsbooks, and frankly feel like they should be more. With that being said, MSU has won eight of 11 since their loss to Wisconsin last month.

Michigan State was supposed to be a contender for the Big 10 title, with several seasoned players returning. Instead, the Spartans are 1-4 against ranked teams, and only 4-4 in the conference. Even with recent success, coach Tom Izzo can’t seem to figure out what this team really is.

“It’s shocking,” Izzo said in December of his team’s 4-4 start and opening loss in the Big 10 to the rival Badgers. “It’s shocking the way [summer practice] went. It’s shocking from last year. I don’t know why [we’ve struggled]. Maybe it’s the pressure.”

If anyone can teach young athletes to master the strain of pressure, it’s Izzo. At 12-7, MSU is probably going to find enough wins to make it to the NCAA Tournament for the 26th consecutive season, all under Izzo. But, unless their veteran leadership lifts their performance, the Spartans 2023-24 season is going to be memorable for mediocrity rather than mastery.

• The Spartans are 10-8-1 against the spread.
• Michigan State is 2-2 ATS when an underdog by 3 points or less.
• The total has gone OVER in 9 of MSU’s last 14 games.
• Wisconsin is 9-8-2 Against The Spread.
• When favored by 3 points or less, the Badgers are 2-4.

The No. 13 Badgers are 12-1 at home, which is why we’re puzzled that the oddsmakers have Wisconsin as just 3-point favorites. Avoid the temptation to bet on your team, Sparty Nation, give the points, and take Wisconsin. A $112 bet will win you $100, if the Badgers win by at least four.

The O/U is priced at 137.5, according to DraftKings and FanDuel. But we think these teams will go over that figure if you’d like a game prop bet for this Big 10 clash.

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