Wisconsin Looks to Stay Off NCAA Tournament Bubble vs Ohio State as 2-Point Favorites

• Ohio State is building momentum, on its first three-game win streak since December
• Wisconsin is reeling a bit and is only one loss away from matching last year’s season total
• Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

Wisconsin (13-10, 10-1 home) hosts Ohio State (15-7, 3-4 road) at 1 p.m. at the Kohl Center on Sunday in a game that is about as meaningful as February games can be.

Many things have gone wrong for the Badgers this year, including a suspension to star player Brad Davison, the departure of Kobe King on bad terms and six single-digit losses that have contributed to their place in the middle of the Big Ten standings.

The Buckeyes are a strong opponent who bring a three-game win streak (their first three-game win streak since December) into the matchup in Madison. With 2020 NCAA Tournament odds at stake, here’s a look at the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin odds:

Odds as of Feb. 8.  Ohio sports betting apps are launching on January 1, 2023. Be sure to claim one of the following Ohio sports betting promos:

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Last Time Out

Ohio State held a narrow lead most of the game and had the greater win probability until the final two minutes. The Buckeyes were No. 5 at the time, while Wisconsin was unranked.

Tyler Wahl against #5 Ohio State:

▫️ 7 rebounds (5 offensive)
▫️ 3 steals, 2 assists & 4 points#OnWisconsin » #Badgers pic.twitter.com/4GFiedrFKE

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) January 4, 2020

But, thanks to key contributors such as Badgers sophomore Kobe King, Wisconsin pulled the upset. King chipped in 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Could he play a role once more in Sunday’s matchup?

Kobe King Factor

Well, King will play a role — but it won’t be the one Badgers fans are hoping for. King announced he was leaving the program on Jan. 29, citing Wisconsin as “not the right fit” after almost three years at the school.

On Thursday, Badgers strength and conditioning coach Erik Helland resigned after he had reportedly used a racial epithet that was directed at King.

No program needs that kind of story — and that kind of distraction — in the middle of the season. Especially with tournament hopes hanging in the balance.

#Badgers Brad Davison on the impact Erik Helland had during his time at UW.

"He's one of the big reasons why I came here… he pushed me to become a better player in the weight room, on the court but also pushed me to become a better person too… definitely very emotional." pic.twitter.com/zIPL2GOUk9

— George Balekji (@GeorgeBalekji) February 7, 2020

As for the team’s loss of King, it’s too soon to say exactly what impact that will have, but they are 1-3 without him. He’s not a game-breaking player (10 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game), but his presence will surely be missed.

Home Cooking

Wisconsin is 10-1 at home, with eight double-digit wins. The other two wins came over Big Ten leader Maryland (now ranked No. 9) and Michigan State (now ranked No. 16). Not too bad.

N⚪️ PLACE LIKE H🔴ME pic.twitter.com/cnzV6t1wre

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) February 1, 2020

The one loss, to Illinois, came by one point. And Wisconsin had held the higher win probability up until the final two minutes, according to KenPom.

ATS Analysis

Wisconsin is 9-12-2 against the spread, including just one win in its past seven games (1-4-2). The Badgers are also only 1-3-1 as single-digit favorites this season.

Ohio State is 13-9 ATS, including three consecutive wins. The Buckeyes are 1-6 ATS in their past seven Sunday games, but they’re 2-1 as single-digit underdogs this year.

𝘼 𝘽𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙐𝙥 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 #Team121 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/FEVCumibIA

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 6, 2020

Decision Time

Wisconsin needs this game more than Ohio State does, but it has the potential to be pivotal for both programs.

Highlights from tonight’s win 🎬#Team121 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/KY3uNHPzcn

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 15, 2020

Despite Wisconsin’s impressive home record, the ATS record is a concern and the fallout from the King situation still looms large.

Ohio State, meanwhile, is playing as well as it did in late December when it was a top-5 team. Count on the Buckeyes to keep rolling. Also, both teams play slow and Ohio State has scored the under in four-straight games, so keep that in mind.

Pick: Ohio State +2 (-105); Under 124.5 (-110)