Big 10 foes will collide when the Penn State Nittany Lions (7-2, 1-0 Big 10) go head-to-head with the Wisconsin Badgers (3-5, 0-1 Big 10) at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State opened as a 5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 137 points. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 4, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions ATS Preview
The Badgers lost big to the Ohio State Buckeyes in their last game, 83-58. Wisconsin’s Brad Davison put together a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 4-for-8 shooting. Ohio State’s 27.8 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Wisconsin, who had a rate of 15.6. The Buckeyes mark was below their season average of 33.5, while the Badgers was below their season average of 26.2.
In the Nittany Lions last matchup, they beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 77-73. With 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting, Lamar Stevens was Penn State’s leading scorer. Penn State’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Iowa. The Nittany Lions had a rate of 16.9 (worse than their season average of 16.5), while the Hawkeyes posted a mark of 21.9 (above their season average of 15.8).
Penn State might have a difficult time finding the bottom of the net as they battle against one of the nation’s best defenses. Dating back to last season, Wisconsin ranks 41st in defensive efficiency while the Nittany Lions rank 256th in offensive efficiency. Additionally, the Badgers rank 55th in turnover percentage (17.0 percent), while the Nittany Lions rank 43rd in opponents turnover percentage (21.5 percent).
Of Wisconsin’s 7 games that accepted bets, three have finished over the O/U total, while 5 of Penn State’s 7 games have finished under the O/U total. The Nittany Lions come into this game with considerably better straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 7-2 SU and 4-2-1 ATS, while the Badgers are 3-5 SU and 2-5 ATS.
The Badgers won the only game against the Nittany Lions last season, 82-55. The Badgers dominated every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.382 and a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 43.8. For those same stats, the Nittany Lions recorded marks of 0.163 and 21.9, respectively.
Wisconsin Badgers at Penn State Nittany Lions Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Nittany Lions rank 34th in steals per game (7.6) while the Badgers rank 122nd (6.6).
- Wisconsin ranks 16th in three pointers allowed per game (17.6) while Penn State ranks 83rd (19.9).
- Wisconsin ranks 16th in rebounds allowed per game (31.0) while Penn State ranks 274th (37.7).
- The Badgers rank 75th in blocks allowed per game (3.0) while the Nittany Lions rank 251st (4.2).
- Wisconsin ranks 10th in assists allowed per game (10.3) while Penn State ranks 144th (13.1).
