Wisconsin vs. Penn State Total Pick & Prediction

Wisconsin (13-9 SU 10-12 ATS) vs. Penn State (14-9 SU 14-9 ATS)
When: Wednesday, February 8th: 8:30 ET
Where: Bryce Jordan Center University Park, PA
TV: BTN
Point Spread: {‘WIS’} +4.5/{‘PSU’} -4.5
Total: 126.5
Money Line: Wisconsin Badgers +168/Penn State Nittany Lions -209

The Wisconsin Badgers will look to get a rare win, or even a more scarce point spread cover, when they head to University Park to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in Wednesday night Big Ten play. The host is a small four-point favorite with a total line of 125.5 points.

Line Movement

The Nittany Lions opened as high as -4.5 but have been bet down to -3.5 at some of the sportsbooks catering to sharp action. The total hit the board at 126.5 and has dropped a full point to 125.5.

Last Game Info

Going into their last game, Wisconsin was the betting favorite at -3.5 but fell to Northwestern by a score of 54-52. The combined 106 points did not surpass the 125 total line.

Going into their last game, Penn State was the betting favorite at -5 but fell to Nebraska by a score of 72-63. The combined 135 points did not surpass the 137 total line.

Current Form

Wisconsin
Over their last five games, Wisconsin has a straight-up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Badgers’ offense averages 57.2 points per game while hitting 38.3% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 46.4% from the field while allowing 62.8 points per contest.

Penn State
In their previous five contests, Penn State is 2-3 straight-up and 2-3 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 65.4 points per game on a shooting percentage of 44.6%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 47.5% of their shots while giving up 68.6 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Wisconsin’s opponents comes in at 84.7. On the other side, Penn State’s combined opponent power rating sits at 82.3.

How Does Wisconsin Fare On The Road?

For the season, the Badgers have played nine road games and have a record of 4-5. In these contests, Wisconsin is 5-4 vs. the spread. Offensively, they have averaged 65.2 points per game on a shooting percentage of 42.3%. On defense, the Badgers allow 69.0 points per contest when playing away from home. So far, opposing teams have a field goal percentage of 45.4% in these games.

How Does Penn State Fare At Home?

In their 14 games at home, Penn State has a 10-4 record vs. the spread while going 12-2 straight-up. On offense, the Nittany Lions are shooting 48.7% on their home floor, leading to 76.9 points per game. Defensively, opponents are shooting 40.8% in these contests. The Penn State defense is allowing 65.4 points per game at home.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Wisconsin is averaging 70.7 points per game (219th) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 42.5%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a Penn State defense that has allowed an average of 67.4 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 42.8% of their shots vs. Penn State. On the other side, the Penn State Nittany Lions are coming into the game averaging 64.6 points per game on a shooting percentage of 43.2%. The Nittany Lions will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 62.7 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 44.0% of their shots vs. the Badgers.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Wisconsin has a shooting percentage of 31.2% while ranking 412th in attempts per game. The Badgers will be facing a Penn State defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 33.8%. Penn State enters the game having hit 34.2% of their looks from deep while averaging 8.03 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Wisconsin has allowed opponents to hit 32.0% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Wisconsin

• Jahcobi Neath (Out) Lower Body
• Isaac Lindsey (Questionable) Lower Body

Penn State

• No Reported Injuries

Pick Against The Line

The Badgers play good defense but just don’t have the offense to win consistently in the Big Ten. They’ve averaged just 61 points per game in conference matches and are ranked 261st in scoring offense away from home. They do match up well defensively against PSU. The earlier game was lined at 129 and fell short of the number, with Wisc winning 63-60 on their home court. I think this one comes in around the same. A 61-57 type game. Take the Under 125.5