Wisconsin Badgers at #2 Indiana Hoosiers
Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Assembly Hall – Bloomington, Indiana
Opening Line: Indiana -10 1/2
Current Line: Indiana -10 1/2
Opening Total: 132
Current Total: 132 1/2
Opening Money Line: Indiana -600 / Wisconsin +475
Current Money Line: Indiana -600 / Wisconsin +475
The 12-4 Wisconsin Badgers and #2 15-1 Indiana Hoosiers are both undefeated in the Big Ten at 3-0. They are the last two undefeated teams in the conference and they meet Tuesday night in Bloomington. Indiana leads the series 94-65, but Wiscosnin has won 10 straight games in the series dating back to 2007. Wisconsin won both meetings last year 57-50 in Madison and 79-71 in the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.
Wisconsin is coached by Bo Ryan. The Badgers have losses at Florida and Marquette, a home loss to Virginia, and to Creighton in a tournament in Las Vegas. Wisconsin has won 6 straight games. The Badgers have key wins over Cornell, Arkansas in Las Vegas, California, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Penn St, and Illinois Saturday 74-51, along with a road win at Nebraska. Wisconsin is 5-9 ATS and the total is 5-6 this season.
Indiana is coached by Tom Crean. The only loss came to Butler by 2 points in overtime in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers have also won 6 straight games. Indiana has key wins over Georgia & Georgetown in a tournament in Brooklyn, Ball St, North Carolina, and Minnesota 88-81 Saturday, along with road wins at Iowa and Penn St. The Hoosiers are 9-5 ATS and the total is 7-5 this season.
Wisconsin is outscoring teams 71-55 this season. The Badgers are #6 in points allowed nationally. Wisconsin is shooting 44.6% from the field and 35.3% from 3 points range. The Badgers are #329 out of 347 teams in free throw shooting at just 61.4% from the line. Wisconsin averages 37.8 rebounds per game, and give up 27.8 to opponents. Badger opponents are shooting 40.1 % from the field and 31.2% from 3 point range. Wisconsin averages 14 assists, 7 steals, 5 blocks and 9 turnovers.
Forward/Center Jared Berggren averages 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Forward Ryan Evans averages 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per game. Gaurd Ben Brust averages 11.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Forward Sam Dekker averages 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Forward Mike Bruesewitz averages 7.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Traevon Jackson, George Marshall and Frank Kaminsky make up the rest of the rotation.
Indiana is outscoring teams 87-60 this season. The Hoosiers lead the nation in scoring. Indiana shoots 51.1% from the field and 41.9% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers are 7th or better in the country in both categories. Indiana makes 73.8% of their free throws. The Hoosiers average 41.5 rebounds per game and give up 26.2 per game. Indiana is in the top 20 in both categories. Hoosier opponents are shooting 36.4% from the field and 30.6% from 3 point range. Indiana is #7 in opponent’s field goal percentage.
Forward Cody Zeller averages 16.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Guard Victor Oladipo averages 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.3 assists. Forward Christian Watford averages 12.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Guard Jordan Hulls averages 11.6 points, 3.7 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Forward Will Sheehey averages 11.4 points, 4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1 steal per game. Kevin Ferrell, Remy Abell, and Jeremy Hollowell also get significant minutes. Forward Derek Elston is questionable with a knee injury. Guard Maurice Creek (foot) and forward Austin Etherington (knee) are both out indefinitely.
Wisconsin is 9-19 ATS in Tuesday games, 3-7 after a straight up win, 2-5 overall, 2-7 against teams with winning records, 0-4 in road games against teams with winning home records. The Badgers are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 against the Hoosiers, including 4-0 in Bloomington. The road team has covered 4 of the last 5 in this series.
Indiana is 4-1 ATS at home against teams with losing road records, and in Tuesday games, and 19-7 in home games. The over is 5-2 overall in the series and also 5-2 in Bloomington.
Wisconsin has to slow down the high octane Indiana offense. The Badgers score around 70 points per game but should play this game in the 60’s. I like Indiana to win at home, but the Badgers keep it within the 10.5 point spread.
