No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 20 Wisconsin Badgers
NCAA Basketball Point Spread: OFF O/U OFF
Projected Odds: Both teams are riding winning streaks and even though the Badgers are ranked at home I think OSU will be slight away favorites. Check back to Coopers Pick on early Saturday for the lines to this Big 10 game.
Futures Odds to win NCAA Championship: Ohio State 6.00 / Wisconsin 41.00
Tip Off: Saturday February 4, 2012 2 PM EST on ESPN
By: Barrett Kazmerzack of Coopers Pick CALL NOW 1-888-730-COOP
Wisconsin (18-5) got off to a rocky start in Big 10 play, but they have really gotten back on track, as they have won 6 straight and 2 of those wins were against ranked teams. Ohio State (19-3) has won 4 straight and much like the Badgers in their streak they have beaten 2 ranked teams. This game is all about offense vs. defense, as the Buckeyes rank 27th in the nation in scoring and the Badgers lead the nation in defense only giving up an average of 49.5 ppg. OSU is 7-2 in Big 10 play and Wisconsin is 7-3 and the Badgers can pull into a first place tie with the Buckeyes with a home win on Saturday afternoon.
Last season these 2 rivals split the 2 games they played with each winning on their home floor.
In their last games Wisconsin was on the road and beat Penn State 52-46 and Ohio State was at home and beat a ranked Michigan team 64-49.
This season Ohio State is 11-6 ATS with an O/U record of 8-7 and Wisconsin is 12-8 ATS with an O/U record of 7-13.
The main goal for the Badgers and their great defense will be to try to contain Player of the Year candidate Jared Sullinger (17.1 ppg 9.1 rpg), who leads OSU in both scoring and rebounding. He has shot at least 50% from the field in 4 of his last 5 games and Wisconsin has to make him take tough shots and not let him get deep in the paint.
G William Buford (15 ppg) is the Buckeyes 2nd leading scorer and if he can knock down some outside J’s it will open up the lane for Sullinger.
Sullinger, Buford, and Deshaun Thomas (14.6 ppg) are the 3 players for the Buckeyes that are averaging in double figures and if Wisconsin can keep them from having big games they have a legit shot in this big conference game.
The Badgers are led by G Jordan Taylor (14.1 ppg) and F/C Jared Berggren (10.6 ppg 4.9 rpg). Taylor has to slow the pace of the game, as there is no way they can run and gun with the Buckeyes. Berggren and F Ryan Evans (9.8 ppg 6.7) also really have to hit the boards, as OSU is a much better rebounding team.
OSU is not only solid on offense, but they also have the nation’s 7th ranked defense.
In some betting trends for this Big 10 match up Ohio State is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games, 2-2 ATS in their last 4 road games, and they have an Over record of 4-3-2 in their last 9 games.
Wisconsin is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games and they have an Under record of 3-2 in their last 5 games.