Wisconsin at Michigan State NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 3/16/2019

Saturday, March 16, 2019

United Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Wisconsin Badgers travel to United Center to play the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament. The opening line for this matchup has Michigan State as 5 point favorites.

Wisconsin comes into this game with an overall record of 22-9. They currently have a point differential of 8.4 as they are averaging 69.6 points per game while giving up 61.2 per contest. Michigan State has an overall record of 25-6. They are averaging 79.7 points per game and surrendering 65.9, good for a point differential of 13.8.

Valuable Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends

The Wisconsin Badgers are 16-14-1 against the spread

The Wisconsin Badgers are 13-17-1 against the over/under

Important Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 22-9-0 against the spread

The Michigan State Spartans are 13-18-0 against the over/under

Key Wisconsin Badgers Injuries

12/02/18 G Trevor Anderson Knee is out for season

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

03/11/19 F Nick Ward Hand is upgraded to probable for Big 10 Tournament
01/07/19 G Joshua Langford Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Ethan Happ comes into this contest averaging 17.8 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 10.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 47%. D'Mitrik Trice averages 11.9 points per game in 32.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 2.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Cassius Winston averages 19.0 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.1 rebounds per game and has 7.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Nick Ward averages 15.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 23.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.6 rebounds per contest and 0.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 60% and his free throw percentage is 65%.

Useful Team Statistics

Wisconsin averages 69.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 260th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 8.4 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 105th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 40th in the nation. They average 35.4 rebounds per game and 12.7 assists per game, which ranks them 178th and 235th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 347th with 9.4 per game. The Badgers allow 61.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the country. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.5 rebounds a game which ranks 213th and they give up 10.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in Division 1. They force 11.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 43rd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Michigan State is 36th in the country with 79.7 points per game this year. They are 13th in Division 1 in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 13.8. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the nation. They are 3rd in the NCAA in rebounding with 41.3 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 19.1. The Spartans are 178th in turnovers per game with 13.0. The Spartans surrender 65.9 points per contest, which ranks them 46th in D-1. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 52nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 100th with 12.1 assists allowed per contest and 54th with 32.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Spartans are 10th in country in forcing turnovers with 10.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Badgers are 138th in the nation in offensive rating with 105.3. In terms of pace they are 339th in the country with 64.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 128th. As a team they are 192nd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 287th in Division 1. Wisconsin is 342nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Michigan State is 174th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions. The Spartans are 9th in the country in offensive rating with 115. In terms of pace they are 199th in Division 1 with 68.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 15th. As a team they are 11th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 194th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Michigan State -5

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