Wisconsin at Northwestern College Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/22/2018

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Allstate Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Wisconsin Badgers head to Allstate Arena to take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Thursday, February 22, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Northwestern as 5.5 point favorites.

Wisconsin heads into this matchup with a mark of 13-16. They currently have a point differential of 0.9 as they are averaging 67.4 points per contest while giving up 66.5 per game. Northwestern has an overall mark of 15-14. They are averaging 69.4 points per contest and giving up 66.0, which is a point differential of 3.3.

Valuable Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends

The Wisconsin Badgers are 11-15 against the spread this season

The Wisconsin Badgers are 12-13 against the over/under this year

Important Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 11-15 against the spread this season

The Northwestern Wildcats are 9-16 against the over/under this year

Key Wisconsin Badgers Injuries

12/11/17 G Kobe King Knee is out for season
02/18/18 F Andy Van Vliet Illness is "?" Monday vs Minnesota U
01/29/18 G D'Mitrik Trice Foot is out indefinitely

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

12/11/17 F Rapolas Ivanauskas Shoulder is out for season
02/21/18 G Bryant McIntosh Shoulder is "?" Thursday vs Wisconsin
02/17/18 G Jordan Ash Lower Body is out for season

Player Spotlight

Ethan Happ averages 18 points per contest while playing 30.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 8.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage is 55%. Brad Davison averages 11.7 points per contest in 31 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.3 assists per game and 2.2 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Scottie Lindsey scores 14.3 points per contest while playing 31.4 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 3.7 rebounds per contest and has 1.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Bryant McIntosh averages 12.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 31.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 2.5 rebounds per game and has 5.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Wisconsin averages 67.4 points per contest this year, which is 310th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 0.9 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 161st. From 3-point territory they shoot 34%, which is good for 234th in Division 1. They average 31.1 boards per contest and 12.8 assists per game, which ranks them 338th and 239th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 320th with 11.3 per game. The Badgers allow 66.5 points per contest, which is 43rd in the country. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 283rd and 223rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 30.5 rebounds a game which ranks 18th, and they allow 11.7 assists per game which puts them in 58th place in college basketball. They force 11.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 54th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Northwestern is 280th in the country with 69.4 points per contest this season. They are 298th in the nation in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 3.3. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 174th in Division 1. They are 288th in the country in rebounding with 33.3 boards per contest and 150th in assists per game with 14.1. The Wildcats are 289th in turnovers per contest with 11.8. The Wildcats give up 66.0 points per game, which ranks them 35th in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 177th and 191st in those defensive statistics. They rank 195th with 13.7 dimes allowed per game and 62nd with 32.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Wildcats are 166th in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 13.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Badgers are 203rd in the country in defensive rating with 103, and their offensive rating of 104.4 is ranked 184th. They are 347th in college basketball in pace with 64.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 182nd. As a unit they are 197th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 194th in D-1. Wisconsin is 245th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 225th in the country.

Advanced Statistics

Northwestern is 248th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 167th in Division 1. The Wildcats are 92nd in the nation in defensive rating with 99.4, and their offensive rating of 104.4 is ranked 182nd. They are 328th in D-1 in pace with 65.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 261st. As a unit they are 250th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 105th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Wisconsin/Northwestern college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Wisconsin +5.5

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