The Big 10 meets the Big 12 when Wisconsin and BYU play an NCAA tournament second-round game Saturday evening in Denver.
The Badgers finished in fifth place in the Big 10 this season, then held off Montana in a first-round game Thursday. Meanwhile the Cougars finished in third place in the Big 12, then beat VCU in a first-round game Thursday.
The line on this game indicates it should be close. Who do we like for our free NCAA tournament betting pick?
NCAAB Tournament Betting Odds
The NCAA tournament betting market opened Wisconsin at -1.5 for Saturday, with an over/under of right around 155. Early betting action shaved that spread to -1.
BYU-Wisconsin Betting Preview
The Cougars reached this NCAA tournament second-round match-up by beating 11th-seeded VCU Thursday 80-71. BYU favored at -2.5, led 39-28 at the half, then pushed its advantage to 20 points early in the second half and eased home from there.
The Cougars shot 50 percent from the floor Thursday while holding the Rams to 41 percent shooting.
BYU played 14-6 in the Big 12 Conference this season, then beat Iowa State in its first game in the conference tournament before losing to Houston in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the Badgers reached this second-round bout by shrugging off 14th-seeded Montana Thursday 85-66. Wisconsin, favored at -17, only led the Grizzlies 51-47 with 15 minutes left. But the Badgers pulled away from there, later leading by 21, on their way toward the victory and the money.
Wisconsin shot 55 percent from the field Thursday, held Montana to 40 percent shooting, and won the battle on the glass 40-29.
The Badgers played 13-7 in the Big 10 this season, then won three games in three days to reach the conference tournament championship game, which they lost to Michigan 59-53.
By the Numbers
- BYU is shooting 48 percent from the field this season, while Wisconsin is holding opponents to 41 percent.
- The Badgers are shooting 46 percent from the floor, while the Cougars are holding foes to 43 percent.
- BYU is out-rebounding opponents by a per-game margin of 34-28; Wisconsin by 33-31.
- The Cougars own a 17/12 per-game assist/turnover ratio, the Badgers 15/10.
- Finally, according to Kenpom.com, BYU played the No. 48 schedule in the country this season, Wisconsin No. 20.
Common Opponents
These teams played one common opponent this season: Arizona. Back in November, Wisconsin beat the Wildcats 103-88. Later, BYU split two games with its new conference rival, losing at home 85-74, then winning at Tucson 96-95.
NCAA Tournament Betting Trends
- BYU is 6-5 SU, 5-5-1 ATS this season against teams that made this NCAA tournament.
- Wisconsin is 6-8 SU, 8-6 ATS vs. teams that made this tournament.
Totals Report
- The Overs are 7-2 over BYU’s last nine games.
- The Unders are 6-4 over Wisconsin’s last 10 games.
- The Unders are 21-10-1 so far in this NCAA tournament.
