The Ohio State Buckeyes (13-18, 5-15) and Wisconsin Badgers (17-13, 9-11) meet Wednesday in a 1st-round matchup in the Big Ten Tournament. Tip from United Center is at 6:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Buckeyes had a disastrous campaign, although they won 2 of the final 3 games of the regular season while covering all 3 outings. Ohio State fell 65-60 at home against Wisconsin in the only regular-season matchup, losing as a 7.5-point favorite on Feb. 2 as the Under (132) hit.
The Badgers are considered a bubble team, so they can ill afford a loss to a team like the lowly Buckeyes or the bubble will certainly burst. Wisconsin likely needs at least 2 or 3 wins in this tourney to get into a possible position for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.
Wisconsin stubbed its toe down the stretch, losing a bubble battle at Michigan on Feb. 26 in OT (87-79). It had a chance at a Quad 1 win and resume builder in Madison against then-No. 5 Purdue on March 2, but the Badgers came up just short in a 63-61 setback as 3.5-point underdogs.