The Wisconsin Badgers watched their five-game winning streak implode in a rare home loss last time out, adding to the log jam atop the Big Ten.
The Badgers are back in the Kohl Center tonight with a shot at redemption, hosting the Washington Huskies as sizable home favorites.
That pile of points doesn’t scare me off from my Washington vs. Wisconsin predictions and college basketball picks on Tuesday, February 25.
Washington vs Wisconsin prediction
My best bet
Wisconsin -14.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Wisconsin Badgers can point the finger at a few things for Saturday’s overtime loss to Oregon.
In the end, it was careless ball-handling that did them in. Wisconsin coughed it up a season-worst 17 times, gift-wrapping 24 points off turnovers for the Ducks, who won outright as 8-point underdogs.
That was a rare miscue for the Badgers, especially in Madison. They’re among the better programs in the country at taking care of the basketball, averaging just 9.9 turnovers at home and allowing those mistakes to manifest into less than 11 points against per game.
Just cleaning up those errors is a big boost for Wisconsin’s defense. The Badgers rank third among Big Ten schools in defensive efficiency and host a Washington Huskies program with big problems on the offensive end.
The Huskies are dead last in the conference in a lot of things, including putting the ball in the basket. Those issues get compounded away from home and their first year in the Big Ten hasn’t been kind — at least in the win/loss column.
Danny Sprinkle’s team is 2-6 SU but 5-3 ATS on the road in conference games, coming off another loss/cover at Iowa this past weekend. The Huskies couldn’t come away with the victory despite shooting 53% from the field and making nine 3-pointers.
Much like Wisconsin’s turnovers versus Oregon, Washington’s hot hand at Iowa was an anomaly.
The Huskies only hit 42.3% from the field on the road this season and drain fewer than seven triples per road showing. They’ll have a hell of a time carrying over that success in the Kohl Center. Team projections are as low as 66 points for Washington tonight.
Defensively, the Huskies are in over their heads. The wheels have come off the bus this month, with Washington sinking to the bottom of the Big Ten and allowing foes to score 81.5 points per contest in the last six outings.
Wisconsin will literally beat up the Huskies in the halfcourt, exploiting UW’s weakness versus screen-heavy attacks. The Badgers throw a lot of bodies in the way, thriving off screens and pick-and-roll schemes, while creating isolation mismatches in the process. All that contact on the offensive end will have the Huskies packing up by halftime.
Game models range from a 13-point win to an 18-point difference on the scoreboard. My projection says a 16-point victory for the Badgers, who are fighting for the Big Ten crown and a No. 2 seed on Selection Sunday.
Washington vs Wisconsin same-game parlay (SGP)
Wisconsin -14.5
Wisconsin team total Over 82.5
John Tonje 25+ Points
The Badgers bounce back from a messy loss and make a limping Washington team quit on both ends.
Wisconsin faces a Huskies defense among the worst in the Big Ten. Game models call for 84-plus tonight.
John Tonje has been insane this past month, averaging 24.8 points in the past nine games. Player projections have him flirting with 25-plus versus UW.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Washington vs Wisconsin odds
Washington vs Wisconsin live odds
Washington vs Wisconsin opening odds
- Spread: Washington +16 (-110) | Wisconsin -16 (-110)
- Moneyline: Washington +1250 | Wisconsin -2500
- Over/Under: Over 150.5 (-110) | Under 150.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Washington vs Wisconsin betting trend to know
Wisconsin has covered the spread in 22 of its last 36 games (+6.65 Units / 17% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Washington vs. Wisconsin.
How to watch Washington vs Wisconsin
| Location | Kohl Center, Madison, WI |
| Date | Tuesday, 2-25-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock |
Washington vs Wisconsin key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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