Friday college basketball betting options include one noteworthy game: Michigan State vs. Wisconsin. Since 2008, the Spartans and Badgers have claimed either outright or partial shares of nine Big Ten regular-season championships (six for MSU, three for UW).
In that same stretch, the Spartans (four) and Badgers (two) have accounted for six Big Ten tournament titles.
The schools have even reached the same Final Four twice this century (2000, 2015), which is a rare occurrence for programs not named Duke, Kentucky, or North Carolina.
With both schools currently ranked in the Associated Press top 15, Friday’s clash in Madison comes with tangibly high stakes.
Props.com breaks down Friday college basketball betting odds for Michigan State-Wisconsin.
Odds via DraftKings and updated as of 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 21.
No. 14 Michigan State Vs No. 8 Wisconsin
Tipoff/TV: 9 p.m. ET/FS1
Michigan State: 14-3 SU (5-1 Big Ten)/9-8 ATS
Wisconsin: 14-2 SU (6-1 Big Ten)/12-5 ATS
Spread/Total: Wisconsin -3/139.5
Last Meeting: The Badgers beat the Spartans on Christmas Day 2020, 85-76
About Michigan State: The Spartans are 6-2 SU/5-2-1 ATS on the road this season. Michigan State ranks first in the Big Ten in blocks (6.53 per game), second in 3-point proficiency (38.8%), and fourth in scoring defense (65.6 ppg). But the sloppy Spartans rank 294th nationally in turnovers (committing 14.5 per game), and 329th in turnover margin (-3.4) — easily the worst differential within the Big Ten.
About Wisconsin: The Badgers have gone on a pressure-packed roll since falling to Providence in mid-November, winning 13 of 14 games (11-3 ATS) and taking down three ranked teams in the process (Houston, Ohio State, Purdue). Nine of Wisconsin’s 13 victories during this stretch had a final margin of six or fewer points. The Badgers boast the Big Ten’s best ATS mark (12-5).
What’s At Stake: A Wisconsin victory would keep the Badgers (6-1 Big Ten, co-leader with Illinois) at least tied for the conference lead. Michigan State (5-1 Big Ten) could move into a tie for first, with a win tonight and an Illinois loss at Maryland. Of equal importance, the Spartans must prove they can beat a league power, as this is their toughest Big Ten challenge so far.
Players To Watch
Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis has arguably been the Big Ten’s top performer. The 6-foot-5 sophomore leads the Badgers in scoring (22.1 ppg), rebounding (7.5 rpg), and assists (2.5 apg). Davis, who has tallied double-digit scoring in 16 straight games (dating to last season), is a nightly double-double threat in the star-laden Big Ten. His best effort this season came on Jan. 3, when Davis pierced No. 3 Purdue for 37 points and 14 rebounds.
No one really lights it up for Michigan State, but forward Gabe Brown (14.2 ppg) leads the team in scoring. Brown has reached double digits in 16 of 17 games this season, including the last 12 in a row.
Notable Trends
• Michigan State is on a 1-4 ATS skid overall
• Michigan State has cashed in its last four road games
• The Spartans are 5-1 ATS in their last six following a SU loss
• Wisconsin is on runs of 7-0 SU and 5-0 ATS
• The Badgers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite
• Wisconsin is on a 7-0 Over streak
Michigan State Vs Wisconsin Odds and Action
UPDATE 5:45 P.M. ET: This line saw significant movement at DraftKings since opening 24 hours ago. Wisconsin hit the Friday college basketball odds board as a 4.5-point chalk, dipped to -4 late Thursday, -3.5 overnight, then bottomed out at -2.5 late this morning. The Badgers rose to -3 this afternoon and are currently -3 (-115). Wisconsin is nabbing 61% of spread bets, but money is split perfectly, 50/50.
The total moved from 140 to 139 to 140 Thursday night, then spent pretty much all day today at 139.5. Currently, the total is 139.5 (-115), with 72% of bets/62% of money on the Over.
