Hawkeyes vs. Badgers Expert Pick for Jan 2

Iowa Hawkeyes (8-5 SU, 5-8 ATS) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS)

When: Tuesday, January 2nd, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Kohl Center, WI, Madison

TV: BTN

Point Spread: IOWA +6/WISC -6

Total: 152.5

Money Line: Iowa Hawkeyes +210/-265

Notable Injuries

Hawkeyes

• Riley Mulvey (Out) Redshirt

Badgers

• Chucky Hepburn (Probable) Groin
• Markus Ilver (Questionable) Undisclosed
• Gus Yalden (Out) Personal

Recent Form

Iowa has played 13 games this season and currently holds a record of 8-5. In away games, the Hawkeyes are 0-3, while they are 8-2 when playing at home.

Looking at their over/under performance through 13 games, Iowa has an over/under record of 9-4-0, with their games averaging 165.1 points per game on average. In their most recent three games, the Hawkeyes’ over/under record is 2-1, with their games averaging 167 points per game.

Iowa’s ATS record is currently sitting below .500 at 5-8. Over their last ten games, Iowa has gone 2-3 vs. the spread.

As they prepare for their 13th game of the season, Wisconsin currently holds a 9-3 record. In their away games, the Badgers are 1-2, while they are 8-1 in games played at home.

After 12 games, Wisconsin has an over/under record of 5-6-1, with their games averaging a combined 139.1 points per game so far. The Badgers’ last five games have culminated with an average of 131 points per game and an over/under record of 1-3-1.

As Wisconsin prepares to face Iowa, their ATS record stands at 6-6. Over their last five games, the team has gone 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Historicals

In terms of betting, Wisconsin has an ATS record of 5-0 in the previous five matchups vs Iowa. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +3 points per game in favor of the Badgers. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 3-2. Combined, they averaged 139 points in these games.

Analysis

Iowa’s offense had a good outing, putting up 103 points against Northern Illinois. They achieved a 50% field goal percentage and went 11/15 from the free-throw line. For the season, the Iowa offense has been one of the more efficient shooting teams in the NCAA, with a field goal percentage of 47%. So far, they have hit 54% of their looks from inside the arc and are averaging seven made threes per contest.

Coming into the game, Iowa will be looking to improve their defense, as they are currently giving up 77.2 points per game (244th). The Iowa defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 74 points and allowed Northern Illinois to connect on eight threes.

In their recent matchup, the Wisconsin offense ended with 80 points against Chicago State. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 50% and made four threes. Leading the team in scoring was AJ Storr, who scored 29 points. Steven Crowl also added 13 points for the Badgers.

Coming into today’s game, the Wisconsin defense is giving up an average of 64.9 points per contest. Wisconsin’s defense is coming off a game in which they allowed the Chicago State offense to knock down 50% of their shots on their way to putting up 53 points.

Betting Trends

• In their last three games away from home, the Hawkeyes have a straight-up record of 0-3 while going 1-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 72 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last three games at home, the Badgers have a straight-up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 67 points per game in these contests.
• The last five games that Iowa was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 1-4 while going 0-5 straight up.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Badgers have a straight up record of 5-0, while going 2-3 against the spread.

Crew’s Point Spread Pick

This is a weird situation with the Badgers not playing since Dec 22. Wisconsin may take a while to get going offensively, which puts me on Iowa getting the points. Take the Hawkeyes +6.5.