Wisconsin vs Ohio State Odds, Picks and Predictions: Wahl Gives it All for Badgers

They’re the last undefeated team in the Big Ten play, and the 15th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers try to extend that to four straight conference wins Wednesday when they visit the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes have split their four conference games, putting them in ninth place with a glut of teams above them — Wisconsin being at the top.

Yet the Badgers are 1.5-point road underdogs in the college basketball odds — partly because the Buckeyes have been a sharp 8-1 at home on the year.

Is it enough to hand Wisconsin its first L in Big Ten play? Read on for my free Wisconsin vs Ohio State college basketball picks and best bet on January 10.

Wisconsin vs Ohio State best odds

Wisconsin vs Ohio State picks and predictions

The Badgers come into this one with KenPom’s seventh-best rating in offensive efficiency, despite averaging 75.8 points per game, which ranks 164th in the nation.

Part of their strength is a balanced offensive attack — Wisconsin has had six different players lead the team in scoring through its first 14 games. 

However, there’s a scoring prop for senior forward Tyler Wahl that’s just begging for you to jump on.

His scoring line is set for 10.5 points, an extremely generous figure, considering Wahl has easily crossed this threshold in four straight. 

Wahl has led the team in scoring over the last two Big Ten games. In the Badgers’ 88-72 win last time out against Nebraska, he dropped 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, adding eight rebounds and four assists.

Prior to that, he went for a season-high 19 points on just six shots, with eight rebounds and two steals in Wisconsin’s 83-72 win over Iowa. He went to the free throw line for a season-best 13 times, hitting 11.

The only conference game he went Under the total was on December 5 against Michigan State. While Wisconsin won 70-57, Wahl shot just 3-for-7 from the field for eight points. 

Wahl has scored 11 or more points seven times this season, but here’s why the line is so enticing: He’s been within three points of topping 10.5 in all but one game this season, when he had a season-low six points in a 72-59 loss at Providence.

Win or lose, I think he carries that momentum into Wednesday to clear that line.

My best bet: Tyler Wahl Over 10.5 points (-115 at DraftKings)

Wisconsin vs Ohio State same-game parlay

Tyler Wahl Over 10.5 points

Mark Klesmit Under 7.5 points

Under 139.5 

33% boost available

+525 +698 at DraftKings

While Wahl feels like an obvious candidate to take the Over, all signs point to teammate Mark Klesmit going Under his 7.5-point scoring line.

The junior guard averages 7.2 points per game on the year, but save for a few blips on the radar, his offense is almost non-existent.

Klesmit has scored five points or less in six of his last eight games. Last time out, he had three points while taking just two shots in the win over Nebraska.

You can see why Klesmit was able to top his total in the other two games — they’re total outliers. 

Prior to Nebraska, he had 15 points in the win over Iowa, aided by a season-best eight free-throw attempts, knocking down six of them. He’s taken six free-throw attempts total across the other games.

In a 75-64 win over then third-ranked Marquette on December 2, he went for 21 points, going unconscious from distance, hitting 5-for-10. In the other seven games, Klesmit has shot just 5-for-21 from 3-point range. 

Without those two outings, Klesmit has 20 points in the other six games. I expect much of the same Wednesday.

We’ll finish this SGP with the total, as both defenses can hold their own and stand side-by-side. 

Ohio State surrenders just 65.8 points per game, which ranks 65th in the country, while the Badgers are just a tick more at 65.9, right behind in 66th.

The Under hit in both meetings last season, and in three of the last four head-to-heads. 

While the Badgers have topped 80+ points in three straight, they haven’t been very potent on the road this season. In three games, they’re averaging just 67.3 points per game. 

To me, this has the makings of a slugfest, so I’ll bang the Under.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Wisconsin vs Ohio State spread and Over/Under analysis

The spread has been as wide as 2.5 points, but you can only find the line mostly at 1.5 points, though there are sparse sites offering Ohio State at -1.

Wisconsin is 7-6-1 against the spread this year, while the Buckeyes are 7-8-0.

As for the total, much of the early action was above 140 points, reaching a high of 141.5, but that’s since gone south, with most books offering at the 139.5 range. 

Ohio State has seen the Over go 9-6-0 in its games, while the Badgers’ O/U mark is 7-7-0.

Wisconsin vs Ohio State betting trend to know

Wisconsin has won each of its last eight games against non-ranked opponents. Find more college basketball betting trends for Wisconsin vs. Ohio State.

Wisconsin vs Ohio State game info

Wisconsin vs Ohio State key injuries

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