College Basketball Pick: #2 Michigan State Spartans at Wisconsin Badgers
At 1 p.m. Today the Spartans Try to Take the Big Ten
This is a big game for the #2 Michigan State Spartans (27-3 Overall, 15-2 Big Ten) as they meet the Wisconsin Badgers (14-16 Overall, 7-10 Big Ten) in a contest in which the number two-ranked team in the nation can win the Big Ten outright. In this final game of the regular season, if the Spartans are victorious, then second-place Ohio State will not be able to catch them. The Badgers, though, are a pesky club despite the fact that they are ninth in the Big Ten and eight games away from Michigan State. For our Michigan State plays Wisconsin 2018 basketball pick, the Spartans are anywhere from -7.5 to -8.5 and the over/under is either 132.0 or 132.5.
Recent History
The last time the Spartans lost was on Jan. 13 to their archrivals the Michigan Wolverines. Since then they have won 11 straight games, including a 76-61 victory over Wisconsin on Jan. 26. Noteworthy in that stretch of wins is their 68-65 takedown of #3 Purdue on Feb. 10. The Badgers bring a three-game winning streak to the court, which started on Feb. 15 with a 57-53 win over #6 Purdue. Their last game was Feb. 22 where they beat Northwestern 70-64. The Badgers are 5-7 for their last 12 games, which includes a rough five-game losing streak.
Matchup
In most areas, this is a major mismatch. The one statistical category where these two teams are close is in points allowed, as the Spartans are giving up 64.7 per game and the Badgers 66.4. Otherwise, Michigan State is dominant. The Spartans are at +15 in PPG, +6% in FG%, and +10 in RPG. They’re also better in blocks per game, 7.6 to 3.6, and assists, 20.3 to 12.9. Michigan State is +8% in three-pointers.
Players to Watch
Miles Bridges, the sophomore guard from Flint, MI, leads the Spartans with 17.0 PPG, and he’s second in rebounds with 6.8 per game. Forward Nick Ward, also a sophomore, is a 68% shooter who’s averaging 13.0 PPG while taking down 7.6 RPG. Yet another sophomore, Cassius Winston, is a top playmaker and shot. He’s making 7.0 APG while connecting on 54% of his threes and 53% of his field goals. Freshman forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is dominant in the paint, blocking 3.3 shots and grabbing 5.8 rebounds per game. He’s good for 11.4 PPG.
Junior forward Ethan Happ is the top scorer for the Badgers putting in 18.0 PPG. He’s also taking in 8.0 RPG and making 3.9 APG. All of these stats are tops for Wisconsin. The Spartans have six players averaging double digits in points, while the Badgers have two. Along with Happ in the frontcourt, freshman guard Brad Davison is averaging just over 11 PPG while connecting on 37% of his threes. Guard Kahlil Iverson is hitting 55% of his shots while taking down 5.2 RPG and scoring 8.7 PPG.
Our Michigan State Plays Wisconsin 2018 Basketball Pick
This is the final regular-season game for these two teams. These types of games can be tough to predict, but one thing is certain, the Spartans would certainly like to control their fate and, also, at least hold onto their number two national ranking. Taking into account what’s at stake as well as the two teams and past history, we’re taking the Spartans. Our Michigan State plays Wisconsin 2018 basketball pick is the visiting Spartans at -7.5. We’re also going with the over at 132.0.
The game will be played today, Sunday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. E.T. at the Kohl Center in Madison, WS.
Summary Spartans at Badgers Picks- Michigan State at -7.5 and over 132.0
