Illinois vs. No. 18 Wisconsin (-8) Point Spread Preview

Wisconsin (23-7, 17-11 ATS) closed out the regular season with a four-game winning streak-the last of which was a 72-57 pounding of Illinois. The Badgers finished fourth in the Big Ten and this will be their first game of the conference tournament. Wisconsin has been very good at the sportsbook, too; the team has racked up three straight victories on college basketball odds and is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games.

Like most Big Ten teams, the Badgers don't have much offense at 67.9 points per game. What they do get usually comes from the backcourt; three guards are averaging double figures, led by Trevon Hughes. The senior put up 15.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game this season. Jon Leuer heads up the forwards; the junior is second at Wisconsin in scoring (14.9 PPG) and first in rebounding (5.7 RPG). What Wisconsin lacks in offense it makes up for in defense. The "D" was airtight this season, allowing just 56.1 points per game. In fact, over the past nine games, it was just 51.3 points.

Illinois (18-13, 12-17 ATS) failed to meet expectations this season. The Fighting Illini closed off the regular season with a wimper; the loss to Wisconsin was their third straight and brought their record to 1-5 in the past six games. Like the Badgers, this is Illinois' first game of the tourney. Unlike the Badgers, Illinois has struggled on college basketball odds-it dropped its last three games against the spread.

The Illini average a few more points per game on offense, putting out 70.5. Guard Demetri McCarney is the focal point; he paced Illinois with 14.9 points and 6.8 assists per game. The "Mikes" carry the load at forward; Mike Tisdale (11.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG) and Mike Davis (10.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG) have enjoyed solid seasons. Defensively, Illinois trails Wisconsin by a fair margin; it allowed 66.5 points per game on the year.

These squads have met twice this year, splitting their games-but, as mentioned above, the Badgers crushed Illinois just a few days ago. The Badgers own a 7-3 edge straight up against Illinois over the past 10 games, plus a 6-3-1 record against the spread. The total went over in the last meeting but hit under in the four games before that. Sportsbook.com has the total set at 121.

Game Prediction

Illinois hasn't fared well on neutral courts losing all 4 games straight up and against the spread. Toss in the fact that they have lost 5 of their last 6 games and are playing a hot Badger team and it's an easy decision for us. Take Wisconsin -8 (Sportsbook.com).