CBB Picks: Nebraska vs. Wisconsin Prediction for Jan 6

Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-2 SU, 9-4-1 ATS) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (10-3 SU, 7-6 ATS)

When: Saturday, January 6th, 2:15 PM (ET)

Where: Kohl Center, WI, Madison

TV: BTN

Point Spread: NEBR +6/WISC -6

Total: 143.5

Money Line: Nebraska Cornhuskers +217/-273

Notable Injuries

Cornhuskers

• Ahron Ulis (Out) Suspension
• Henry Burt (Questionable) Undisclosed
• Ramel Lloyd Jr. (Out) Knee
• Blaise Keita (Out) Ankle

Badgers

• Markus Ilver (Questionable) Undisclosed
• Gus Yalden (Out) Personal

Recent Form

Nebraska comes into today’s game as the underdog, with a point spread of +6. So far this season, the Cornhuskers have an overall record of 12-2 and have won their last five games.

On the road, Nebraska is 2-1 this season and has an average scoring margin of +8.7 points per game. In their last game, the Cornhuskers defeated Indiana by a score of 86-70.

Today’s over/under line of 143.5 is lower than the average OU line in Nebraska’s games this season (146.3). So far, 10 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 155 points and their over/under record for the season is 8-6.

As the underdog, Nebraska has been solid vs. the spread this season, going 2-1. Overall, the Cornhuskers have an ATS mark of 9-4-1. On the road, Nebraska’s ATS record is 2-1, and over their last 10 games as the underdog, they are 7-3 vs. the spread.

Wisconsin is coming into today’s game with a record of 10-3 and is favored by 6 points. So far, they have gone 9-1 at home and have won their last three games.

In their last game, the Badgers faced off against Iowa and came away with an 83-72 victory. Over their last 10 games at home, Wisconsin has gone 9-1.

This season, the over/under record for Wisconsin games is 6-6-1, and today’s over/under line of 143.5 is higher than the average over/under line in their games (136.6). So far, 11 of their games have finished with fewer points than today’s OU line. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-0-1, and the average scoring total in those games is 140 points.

Wisconsin’s ATS record this season is currently 7-6, but they are just 4-4 vs. the spread when favored. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Badgers have gone 5-4-1 vs. the spread.

The Historicals

Across the last 5 matchups between the teams, Nebraska has gone 4-1 vs the spread. However, the Badgers actually have a positive scoring margin in these games at +5 points per game. A combined average of 129 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 1-3-1.

Analysis

In their latest game, Nebraska’s offense put up 86 points against Indiana. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 45.8% and made 12 threes. Brice Williams is currently the leading scorer for the team, entering today’s matchup with an average of 13.8. Meanwhile, Keisei Tominaga also brings a PPG average of 14 into the game.

Currently, the Cornhuskers’ defense holds the 61st rank in the nation, allowing 65.8 points per game. Nebraska’s three-point defense is currently 125th in the country at 7.3 made threes per game. In terms of overall field goal percentage, opponets have hit 38.1% of their shots vs. Nebraska.

In their recent matchup, the Wisconsin offense ended with 83 points against Iowa. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 51.9% and made 4 threes. Currently leading the team in scoring is AJ Storr who comes into today’s matchup averaging 15.1. Steven Crowl also heads into the game with a PPG average of 12.8.

In the current season, the Wisconsin defense has excelled, sitting 54th in the nation by allowing 65.5 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, Wisconsin’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 44.6% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 34.3% this season.

Betting Trends

• The Cornhuskers are 4-1 ATS in their last road games and 4-1 straight-up.
• Although Wisconsin has a straight up record of 1-2 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 67 points per game in these games.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Nebraska has an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 7-3 straight up.
• Wisconsin has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.

Rich Crew’s Pick To Cover The Spread

I like the Badgers here. The Cornhuskers have better metrics in numerous categories in this matchup, but their mediocre strength of schedule skews these stats. Nebraska is 2-1 in conference play, but the one loss was on the road where they were easily disptached by Minnesota by 11. Wisonsin’s only defeat at the Kuhl Center was in their second game of the season and came against the No. 5 ranked Tennessee. They’re 7-1 at home and only 4-4 versus the spread, but one of the spread losses was to the Vols and the other three were when the spread was -19.5 or higher. Take the Badgers -6.5.