The No. 19 Michigan Wolverines (18-9, 9-7 Big 10) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they square off with the Wisconsin Badgers (17-10, 10-6 Big 10) at Crisler Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 27, 2020, and will air on ESPN2.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan Wolverines ATS Prediction
The last time the Badgers played, they defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 79-71. One of Wisconsin’s largest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 26 free throw attempts, while Rutgers had just 10. Wisconsin rallied around Micah Potter, who was the team’s leading scorer with 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
The Wolverines beat the Purdue Boilermakers in their last outing, 71-63. The Wolverines had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 3.8 (better than their season average of 14.3), while the Boilermakers had a free throw rate of 0.143 (below the 0.175 mark opponents have averaged against Michigan this season). Franz Wagner was the game’s top scorer with 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Wolverines won the most recent contest 61-52. The Wolverines knocked down seven of their nine free throws (77.8 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (7.7 vs. 10.5).
Michigan could put on a ball-control clinic in this meeting. Michigan ranks 13th in the NCAA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.7 percent), while Wisconsin forces the 75th-fewest turnovers (17.6 percent). Also, the Badgers, who rank 255th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.206), could have a difficult time getting to the line against the Wolverines, who rank 32nd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.174).
Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Wolverines Free Pick
Basketball Tip: ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Michigan ranks 37th in assists per game (15.0) while Wisconsin ranks 183rd (12.3).
The Wolverines rank 24th in blocks per game (4.7) while the Badgers rank 70th (3.8).
Michigan ranks 203rd in steals per game (5.4) while Wisconsin ranks 244th (4.6).
The Wolverines rank 14th in three pointers allowed per game (17.0) while the Badgers rank 45th (18.9).
Michigan ranks 88th in rebounds per game (37.2) while Wisconsin ranks 119th in rebounds allowed per game (34.4).
The Badgers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.8, up from 4.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wolverines have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 60.4 points per game (6.9 below their season average).