High Point vs Wisconsin Predictions, Picks and Spread
By Chris Amberley in College Basketball
Published:
- #5 Wisconsin takes on #12 High Point as 10.5-point favorites in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday
- The Panthers enter play having won 14 straight games
- See my best High Point vs Wisconsin predictions and picks below, plus the spread
The Wisconsin Badgers (24-10) face off against the High Point Panthers (30-4) in a 5 vs 12 West Region matchup at the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
The Panthers are one of the trendiest March Madness sleepers, and I’m looking to back them as 10.5-point underdogs in the college basketball odds.
Tip-off is scheduled for 1:50 pm. ET at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, with nationwide broadcast coverage on TBS. Below you’ll find my best High Point vs Wisconsin predictions and picks, plus the spread for this Round of 64 contest.
High Point vs Wisconsin Predictions
- High Points +10.5 (-118 at FanDuel)

I am absolutely fascinated by the clash of styles between these two teams. Wisconsin enters as a heavy favorite after finishing fifth in the rugged Big Ten. Their battle-tested roster is anchored by guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, who both average 19+ points per game, and they could receive a massive frontcourt boost if big man Nolan Winter returns. He’s one of the game’s key names featured in the March Madness injuries, after missing four games with a lower body issue.
Meanwhile, High Point arrives riding a massive 14-game winning streak after claiming the Big South title under first-year head coach Flynn Clayman. Paced by forward Terry Anderson’s 16 points per game and an opportunistic defense that led the nation in steals, this squad has the transition firepower to make life miserable for the Badgers.
So, how do the two teams stack up against each other? The strength of schedule disparity easily explains the steep moneyline, as Wisconsin boasts a 5-4 record against Quad 1 opponents. High Point preyed on Quad 4 competition all year, but their flawless 14-game winning streak and dominant 30-4 record prove they know how to consistently close out games.
Spotting 10.5 points to a confident 30-win squad is simply too generous for anyone other than a top March Madness championship odds contender, especially on a neutral floor. High Point has been exceptionally effective away from home, logging a a near flawless 6-1 record in neutral-site environments this season.
Wisconsin meanwhile, has historically struggled on neutral site courts, posting a losing 3-4 record. High Point’s perimeter defense and ability to generate turnovers will keep this contest within single digits. You can confidently back the underdog catching this many points.
High Point vs Wisconsin Picks
- Under 164.5 (-105 at FanDuel)
Shifting gears to the total market, where 164.5 points immediately stands out as too high a number for this matchup. Tournament basketball breeds longer possessions, tighter defensive rotations, and higher-leverage half-court sets. Wisconsin has seen their offensive efficiency suffer in unfamiliar arenas, and their games away from home tend to be lower-scoring affairs. I expect the defensive intensity to cash the Under before the final buzzer sounds.
If you want to swing for a bigger payday, consider parlaying High Point +10.5 and Under 164.5 together at +261 odds. The Panthers defense will force Wisconsin into long, grinding half-court sets, which will suppress scoring and keep the final margin within the 10.5 point spread.
High Point vs Wisconsin Spread
Odds as of March 17, 2026. New Customers can claim the FanDuel Promo Code to bet on March Madness.
As of Tuesday night, the best place to bet High Point against the spread is at FanDuel. Their +10.5 line is a full point higher than most commercial sportsbooks, although it is juiced to -118. Total-wise, FanDuel also has the best price on Under 164.5, offering the total at -105 odds.
Per the college basketball public betting trends, the Panthers enter action in unfamiliar territory. Thursday will mark High Point’s first game this season where they’re the underdog. They were favored in each of their previous 34 games, laying double-digit points in 10 of their last 12 outings.
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Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.