On Saturday, two Big Ten ranked opponents will kick off the weekend action. The Wisconsin Badgers will visit the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Value City Arena in what should be an extremely exciting matchup.
The Badgers only lost to Providence earlier in the season and have won six straight games after a huge come-from-behind victory over Indiana at home. Meanwhile, Ohio State is coming into this game with two losses on the year, however, the Buckeyes have a win against Duke earlier this year.
Here are our college basketball picks and predictions for Badgers vs Buckeyes on December 11.
Wisconsin vs Ohio State odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
The Buckeyes opened up as 4.5-point favorites at home and haven’t moved yet. The total has also stayed around the opening number of 136.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.
Wisconsin vs Ohio State predictions
Predictions made on 12/10/2021 at 9:35 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Wisconsin vs Ohio State game info
• Location: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
• Date: Saturday, December 11, 2021
• Tip-off: 12:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Big Ten Network
Wisconsin at Ohio State betting preview
Injuries
Wisconsin: Lorne Bowman II G (Questionable), Markus Ilver F (Questionable), Jahcobi Neath F (Questionable).
Ohio State: Eugene Brown III G (Out), Justice Sueing F (Out), Seth Towns F (Out).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Badgers are 6-0 ATS in their last six games overall. Find more NCAA betting trends for Wisconsin vs. Ohio State.
Wisconsin vs Ohio State picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
It’s never easy playing on the road in the Big Ten. Wisconsin came back against Indiana, at home, while Indiana choked a huge lead on the road. Meanwhile, we’ve already seen Ohio State defeat Duke earlier this season at home.
Wisconsin’s defense is doing most of the talking lately. The offense is struggling outside of Johnny Davis. The Badgers are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 46.5% while only hitting 30.5% of long-range jumpers and just 47% of shots inside the arc.
However, on the offensive end, Wisconsin is able to limit turnovers really well, get to the line at a high rate, and knock down just under 80% of foul shots.
That and Davis has ultimately helped the offense do enough.
Meanwhile, the defense is one of the best in the nation. Currently, Wisconsin is ranking 15th in the nation in defensive adjusted efficiency via KenPom. Teams are shooting a 45.2% effective field goal percentage while only hitting 33.1% from downtown and just 42.6% from inside.
The Badgers will have a challenge on their hands against the Ohio State Buckeyes, however. Ohio State is averaging a 57.1% effective field goal percentage while hitting 39.2% from long range and 55.9% from inside the arc.
Led by E.J. Liddell, Ohio State’s offense is dangerous and could absolutely find ways to score from long range against Wisconsin.
On the other hand, the Buckeyes have been fine guarding inside, but have allowed 32.6 percent from long range. Opponents are dominating the Buckeyes on the glass and getting to the line at a high rate against them.
I’d like to believe Wisconsin wins the glass, gets to the foul line more and does enough defensively to at least stick around.
Prediction: Wisconsin +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
With Ohio State feeding off the home crowd energy, the offense shouldn’t have a problem finding good quality shots, especially from long range.
On the other hand, I like Wisconsin to clean up the glass, earn more foul shots and ultimately limit turnovers and have more shots attempted in this game.
With that said, I’d take the Over in this game at 136.5.
Prediction: Over 136.5 (-110)
Best bet
Wisconsin isn’t one of the best offenses in the nation. But with Johnny Davis leading the way with 20.5 points, Wisconsin can stay afloat on that end.
The Badgers have played extremely well on defense, which ultimately gave Wisconsin a chance last game against Indiana.
Therefore, I’ll stick with the Badgers, even on the road, to cover this game. It’s going to be a tight one throughout, but Wisconsin should end up doing the little things slightly better.
Pick: Wisconsin +4.5 (-110)
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