Wisconsin vs. Georgia Tech Odds
| Wisconsin Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 130.5 -110o / -110u | -165 |
| Georgia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 130.5 -110o / -110u | +145 |
No. 23 Wisconsin will take on Georgia Tech in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Wednesday. Both teams have been hot as of late, but I think one of them is set to cool off in a hurry in Atlanta.
The Badgers come into this game with a 5-1 record and have gone 4-2 against the spread. The only loss for Wisconsin came against Providence by five points. Wisconsin is averaging 67.7 points per game while its defense is giving up 55.2.
The Badgers made some headlines during Feast Week, as they won three games in a row to claim the Maui Invitational Championship in Las Vegas. They beat Texas A&M and then-No. 12 Houston before posting a 61-55 victory over Saint Mary's in the title game.
Georgia Tech sits 5-1 and has gone 2-4 against the spread. Even though it has had success, it only won by two points in its last game against Georgia Southern. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 75.8 points per game while their defense is giving up 66.2.
If Georgia Tech wants to find success against the Badgers, it will need to find a way to push the pace. The faster this game is, the better the chance that Georgia Tech comes away with the victory.
Badgers Have College Basketball World On Notice
Wisconsin opened the season with wins over St. Francis (BKN) and Green Bay before losing to Providence as a 5.5-point home favorite.
The Badgers caught the college basketball world's attention in Vegas last week, winning the Maui Invitational and covering the spread in all three victories, including an outright win as an 8-point underdog against Houston.
Wisconsin's offense ranks 74th in KenPom's adjusted efficiency ratings, and the Badgers do not have the same amount of experience that they usually do. However, they are still slowing the game down and relying on their strong defense.
And even with their impressive record, they have had some issues shooting the ball. They rank 288th in effective field goal percentage. Their struggles have come from everyone on the floor, other than the free-throw line where they are shooting 83%.
Freshman guard Johnny Davis turned plenty of heads after his performance in Vegas. He leads Wisconsin in points (20.2), rebounds (5.6), steals (two) and assists (2.2) per game.
But the veteran leader of the team has been fifth-year senior Brad Davison, who averages 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Tyler Wahl, who averages 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and Steven Crowl, averaging 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, have been vital pieces for the Badgers, as well.
Georgia Tech Faces Tough Test In Wisconsin Defense
Georgia Tech started its season with a disappointing loss to Miami (OH) as a 9.5-point favorite. The game appeared to be a reality check for the Yellow Jackets, who haven't lost a game since.
However, they have only covered the spread twice in those wins. Georgia Tech has been an excellent home team dating back to last season, going 14-2 in its previous 16 games at McCamish Pavilion.
The Yellow Jackets are currently 85th in adjusted offensive efficiency and are 40th in effective field goal percentage.
They have also been excellent from beyond the arc, knocking down 41.1% of their attempts. Their biggest weakness offensively has been free-throw shooting, where they are shooting just 63.5%.
But Tech will be facing one of the most formidable defenses in college basketball on Wednesday — Wisconsin is seventh in defensive adjusted efficiency.
Georgia Tech has been very top-heavy offensively this season. Michael Devoe leads the way with 23.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, while Jordan Usher is the only other player in double-figures, scoring 15.8 points and pulling down a team-high 8.7 rebounds a night.
The biggest concern for the Yellow Jackets will be the five players who are currently listed as questionable for this game due to the flu, including guard Deivon Smith, who is scoring 7.6 points per game.
Wisconsin vs. Georgia Tech Betting Pick
Georgia Tech has played a much easier schedule up to this point in the season, which I think is a disadvantage in a game against a proven Wisconsin team.
The Badgers also bring a ton of momentum into this game after winning a stacked Maui Invitational last week. They might not have the experience we're used to seeing, but they are led by one of the oldest players in college basketball in Davison.
The combination of Davison’s experience and Wisconsin’s defensive strength, paired with Georgia Tech potentially being shorthanded, is enough for me to be confident the Badgers can give Georgia Tech a rare loss at home.
Wisconsin opened as a 3-point favorite, and has since moved to -3.5, where I was able to catch it. I would feel comfortable backing the Badgers up to -5.
Pick: Wisconsin -3.5 (Play to -5)
