No. 11 Michigan State Spartans at No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers
Tuesday, 1/3/12, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN2
Opening Point Spread: Wisconsin -5
Current Betting Line: Wisconsin -6.5
Opening Total: 117
Current Total: 117
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Michigan State has opened up Big Ten Conference play with a 2-0 record for the fifth straight season, as the program heads out on the road to face Wisconsin inside the Kohl Center Tuesday night. The Spartans are coming off an impressive 68-55 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers as seven-point road favorites, while staying below the posted total of 126.5. “It was our first Big Ten road game,” stated Spartans forward Draymond Green. “Guys didn’t know what to expect, it’s my job to pick games up.” Michigan State is 3-0 ATS on the road this season.
The Spartans enter this particular contest on a 13-game winning streak, which is much better than the longest win streak of just three games a year ago. Michigan State is averaging 78.8 points and shooting 49.5 percent from the field, while holding opponents to 57.8 points on 36.6 percent shooting. Since head coach Tom Izzo came on campus in 1995-96, the program has produced a Big Ten-best 185-85 record, which is 16 games better than tonight’s opponent that’s in second place in that category.
Wisconsin had its six-game win streak snapped in a 72-65 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes last time out as 17-point home favorites. The Badgers have still managed to tally a 78-7 home record during conference play under head coach Bo Ryan. “I guess the Big Ten’s going to be like this the whole year,” stated Ryan after the upset loss. “I just think there’s so many teams that are kind of equal.” It’s still important to note that the team leads the nation in giving up just 46.2 points per game. Wisconsin is 4-0 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points.
The Badgers have tallied a perfect 8-0 mark when hosting the Michigan State Spartans inside the Kohl Center during Ryan’s time on campus. Wisconsin owns a 13-6 overall record during that time against Michigan State when playing inside any venue. Preseason All-American Jordan Taylor ranks sixth in college basketball with a 3.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. In 56 career conference games, Taylor has turned the ball over just 53 times.
Bettors will likely back the Badgers due to their 9-3 ATS mark in their last 12 games, while the Spartans are 1-4 ATS in their last five tries in Wisconsin.
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