College Hoops: Wisconsin vs. Penn State Prediction & Game Preview (Tuesday, Jan. 17)

Tyler Wahl #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts in the second half against the Colgate Raiders during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Fiserv Forum
Image Credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

We have some Big Ten hoops action, as Wisconsin will host Penn State on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The game is scheduled for 8:30 pm ET while airing on BTN. Wisconsin enters this game as 3.5-point favorites with the total set at 129.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Wisconsin vs. Penn State predictions below.

Wisconsin vs. Penn State Odds

  • Spread: Wisconsin -3.5
  • Total: 129.5

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. New to FanDuel? Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook Review to find out how to bet $5 to get $150 in free bets. This is FanDuel’s best offer of the year, and it expires on Jan. 31 — so act now! 

Game Info

  • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 17
  • Time: 8:30 pm ET
  • Location: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
  • TV: BTN

Wisconsin Betting Trends

  • Badgers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
  • Badgers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games.
  • Over is 5-2 in Badgers last 7 overall.

Penn State Betting Trends

  • Nittany Lions are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games.
  • Nittany Lions are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS win.
  • Over is 4-0 in Nittany Lions last 4 overall.

Wisconsin vs. Penn State Prediction

Wisconsin (11-5, 3-3 Big Ten) is floundering at the moment. The Badgers have lost three games in a row, most recently suffering an embarrassing 63-45 loss at Indiana on Saturday. Forward Tyler Wahl has been injured through that stretch, and it has sent a ripple effect through the Wisconsin lineup. There’s a chance Wahl returns on Tuesday, which would be a huge boost for the Badgers. 

Penn State (12-5, 3-3 Big Ten) hasn’t played in nearly a week, most recently blowing out Indiana 85-66 last Wednesday. However, the Nittany Lions have been a much better team at home throughout the years, and that seems to be the case this season, as PSU is 1-2 in true road games so far. Playing in Wisconsin will be a big test for the Nittany Lions to drop that stigma. 

When both of these teams are fully healthy, Wisconsin has the better squad on paper. Wahl could return for this matchup, but his health is not a guarantee. Still, the Badgers will play with urgency in front of their home crowd following an embarrassing loss on Saturday. Getting Wahl back would serve as the proverbial icing on the cake. 

The Pick: Wisconsin -3.5 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook