Wisconsin Men’s Basketball vs. Lehigh Betting Preview

Contemporary off of a giant win in Iowa, the No. 22 Wisconsin Badgers host Lehigh on the Kohl Heart on Thursday evening in a non-conference matchup. In line with DraftKings, the Badgers are favored by a whopping 23 factors with the sport complete sitting at 133. Exterior of the competition versus UW-Inexperienced Bay, that is the most important level unfold in a Badger hoops recreation this season. Let’s dig in.

(Odds/strains topic to vary. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for particulars.)

ATS Choose: Lehigh +23

I hate to do it, I actually do, however take Lehigh and the factors. The Badgers’ schedule, regardless of their constructive outcomes, has to take a toll on them in some unspecified time in the future. Over Wisconsin’s final seven video games, they’re 5-2 outright, and 6-1 in opposition to the unfold. These seven video games have been determined by a COMBINED 21 factors. After three tight video games in opposition to an in-state rival in Marquette and two convention opponents in Maryland and Iowa, it could not shock me within the slightest if Gard’s crew got here out flat.

23 is a variety of factors. The Badgers are far and away the higher workforce on this matchup, however Lehigh is first rate sufficient to maintain it shut. Relationship again to the start of final season, the Badgers have solely gained a complete of three video games by 23 factors or extra. The opponents in these video games: St. Francis-Brooklyn, UW Inexperienced-Bay, South Dakota.

UW does not blow groups out. It’s very uncommon. Wisconsin at present ranks No. 251 within the nation when it comes to factors per recreation. The Badgers have been absolute wagons in opposition to the unfold this season (at present 8-2 ATS with 4 outright wins as underdogs), and Lehigh struggles to cowl (2-5 ATS), however I used to be shocked to see a 23-point unfold right here. Simply seems like manner too many factors. Trusting my intestine.

Over/Underneath (133)? Keep away

I’ll be solely trustworthy, I’ve completely no learn on this complete. 5 of Lehigh’s eight video games have cleared 133, and solely half of Wisconsin’s video games have coated the quantity.

The Mountain Hawks haven’t performed in nearly two weeks. Their legs are recent, which performs proper into their fashion of play. Lehigh at present ranks No. 35 within the nation in possessions per recreation, that means even when they don’t shoot the ball extremely effectively, they will generate a ton of alternatives to place the ball within the hoop. They’ve scored 52 factors or extra in each contest this season.

That being stated, Wisconsin is the perfect defensive workforce they’ve seen all season. I anticipate Lehigh to wrestle with Wisconsin’s protection out of the gate, however they’ve had nearly two weeks to organize and research movie. Wisconsin performs gradual. They’ll gradual the sport down and try to play this one at their tempo.

If I needed to lean, I believe I’d take the underneath, however keep off of the overall.