Jacksonville State vs Wisconsin Odds
| Jacksonville State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+19.5 -110 | 125.5 -110o / -110u | OFF |
| Wisconsin Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-19.5 -110 | 125.5 -110o / -110u | OFF |
Get your popcorn ready! Two of the slowest offenses in college basketball are set to face off in Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday night when Jacksonville State takes on Greg Gard's Badgers. Both teams enter this contest off a loss and would love to get back on track before the holiday break.
Wisconsin has taken a huge step forward this season, up from 61st in the country (KenPom) last year to 15th this year. The addition of St. John's transfer guard AJ Storr has been monumental for a Badgers' offense that ranks as the 13th-best offense in the sport. Wisconsin has experience, a solid defense and rarely beats itself.
Jacksonville State won't be flummoxed by Wisconsin's slow pace. The Gamecocks force a ton of turnovers, but rarely win the margin battle because they also turn it over too much. They aren't particularly strong at shooting the basketball, but in a game with limited possessions, anything can happen.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
If Jacksonville State finds a way to hang in this game, it will likely be entirely on the defensive end as the Gamecocks rank 123rd in the country in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.
In 10 games played this season, the Gamecocks have only allowed opponents to score 70 or more points twice. They come into this game off two straight losses, but their opponents scored just 61 and 55 points in those games.
The obvious problem is that even when the defense holds up, the Gamecocks are so offensively limited that they can't take advantage. They have scored 108 total points in their past two games and only have one true offensive threat — KyKy Tandy, a transfer from Xavier, who is averaging 17 points per game. Jacksonville State ranks 286th in the country in offensive efficiency and will have trouble scoring against Wisconsin's defense.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers are perfectly comfortable playing in a slow game as they rank 334th in the country in tempo. Teams don't need a great defense to make life tough on Jacksonville State's offense, but the Badgers' 29th-ranked defense should excel.
On the offensive end, the Badgers are built on extreme balance as five different players average 9.8 points or more per game.
Storr is a sniper form outside and has been Wisconsin's best scorer. Storr is scoring 13.8 points per game and has looked comfortable shouldering the burden of Wisconsin's offense.
Jacksonville State vs. Wisconsin
Betting Pick & Prediction
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It will be very difficult for Jacksonville State to win this game. However, they are comfortable playing at the same pace as Wisconsin, and all of their losses have been close games. Five of Jacksonville State's losses have come by a combined 13 points and if Tandy can find ways to score, it won't be a surprise to see the Gamecocks hang around and cover.
Pick: Jacksonville State +20
