Upcoming Match-ups

Wisconsin vs Michigan Picks and Odds

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in College Basketball

Updated Jan 12, 2021 · 6:43 AM PST

Hunter Dickinson pumped up reaction
Michigan's Hunter Dickinson (1) celebrates after making a dunk in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
  • Michigan is a 3.5-point home favorite over Wisconsin on Tuesday night in a Big Ten game at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor
  • Michigan freshman forward Hunter Dickinson is averaging 18 points a game and shooting 73%
  • Odds, lines and spreads for Wisconsin-Michigan and game analysis can be found below

Michigan puts its unbeaten record on the line at 7pm ET Tuesday when it hosts Wisconsin in a Big Ten game pitting top 10 teams at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor.

#7 Michigan is 10-0 and one of eight Division I teams that still has a perfect record. The Wolverines have won all five Big Ten games and have also been profitable against the spread with an 8-2 record. They are favored in this game.

#9 Wisconsin has won seven of its last eight games. The Badgers are 10-2 overall, 4-1 in the conference and 5-6-1 ATS.

Wisconsin vs Michigan Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Wisconsin +3.5 (-108) +150 Over 134.5 (-115)
Michigan -3.5 (-112) -178 Under 134.5 (-105)

Odds taken Jan. 11 from FanDuel

Dickinson is Dominating

Michigan is coming off a convincing 82-57 victory over Minnesota last Wednesday at home as a 7.5-point favorite.

Freshman center Hunter Dickinson again shined for Michigan as he scored a season-high 28 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Dickinson has scored in double figures in every game to this point of his nascent career.

Against Minnesota, Dickinson made 12-of-15 field goal attempts. That increased his season shooting percentage to a remarkable 73%. His 18.0 points and 8.1 rebounds a game are both team-leading figures.

Dickinson helped Michigan shoot 57% while the Wolverines held the Golden Gophers to 32%.

Senior forward Isaiah Livers helped key the defensive effort with a pair of steals and scored 14 points. He is averaging 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 95.8% from the foul line, having made 23 of 24 free throw attempts.

Meanwhile, senior guard Eli Brooks sacrificed a tooth in the name of defense.

Sophomore guard Franz Wagner is having a fine all-round season with averages of 12.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Michigan ranks sixth in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency according to KenPom.com and 18th in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Wolverines are shooting 52.5% from the floor.

Trice Shows Leadership

While Michigan rolled in its previous outing, Wisconsin had to go to double overtime before beating visiting Indiana 80-73 last Thursday as a nine-point favorite.

Senior guard D’Mitrick Trice not only led Wisconsin with 21 points but made two pivotal game-tying shots to keep the Badgers from being upset victims. He hit a floater with 21 seconds left in regulation and a step back jumper with 7.7 seconds to go in the first overtime.

Trice tops the Badgers with a 14.8 scoring average as well as assists with 3.7 a game.

Three other Wisconsin seniors are also scoring in double digits – forward Micah Potter (12.5), forward Nate Reuvers (10.3) and guard Brad Davison (10.0). Potter also averages a team-leading 7.0 rebounds and has a 26.5 defensive rebounding percentage.

Reuvers had 14 points against Indiana and sophomore forward Tyler Wahl added a career-high 12. Wahl connected on back-to-back 3-point field goals in the second overtime after having made just 2-of-9 shots from long range all season.

Wisconsin is 10th in offensive efficiency and seventh in defensive efficiency.

Badgers Won Last Time

The schools have split their last eight meetings. Wisconsin won 81-74 last season in Ann Arbor as a 6.5-point underdog.

Trice led the way with 28 points and connected on five of six attempts from 3-point range. Potter added 18 points and seven rebounds. In a losing effort, Wanger had 17 points and seven boards.

YouTube video

This season, Michigan and Wisconsin are two of the best teams in the nation. However, the Wolverines are rolling, and Dickinson seems unstoppable, even against the Badgers’ rugged defense that is holding opponents to 38.9% shooting.

It is also instructive to note that even with no fans in the stands because of the COVID-19 pandemic, every team in the Big Ten has at least a .500 record at home.

Pick: Michigan -3.5 (-110)

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