Iowa Hawkeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Wisconsin vs Iowa NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Iowa City.

Wisconsin vs Iowa Prediction

Looking to win big? The Badgers and Hawkeyes face off at 1:00 ET on NBC. The Hawkeyes are hosting the game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. Wisconsin is favored by -3.5 in this Big Ten conference matchup the against Iowa. The over/under for the game is set at 163.5 points.

Wisconsin vs. Iowa Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes
Where: Iowa City at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Date: Saturday, February 8th
Betting Odds WISC -3.5, WISC -177 | IOWA +143 O/U 163.5

Badgers Preview: Can Wisconsin Pull Off A Win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena?

Wisconsin improved to 18-5 on the season with a 76-64 win over Indiana on Tuesday. The Badgers, playing at home, were -9 favorites going into the game and managed to cover the spread.

After leading 40-28 at halftime, Wisconsin matched Indiana's 36 points in the second half. The game’s total points of 140 fell under the O/U line of 152.5.

Badgers Offense Breakdown

In their latest game, the Badgers put up 76 points, shooting 43.3% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 29 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 53.3%, and they connected on 70.6% of their free throws, going 12 for 17 from the line.

Max Klesmit dished out 6 assists, and Nolan Winter was efficient, shooting 71.4% overall and 66.7% from three. Mackenzie Mgbako and John Tonje both scored 15 points, with Tonje adding 5 rebounds.

Badgers Team Defense

Wisconsin's defense gave up 64 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 43% from the field on 26 of 60 attempts. Inside the arc, Wisconsin allowed 14 two-point baskets on 31 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.

From three-point range, the Badgers' defense saw their opponents hit 12 of 29 shots, good for 41%. Wisconsin also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 17 times, where they converted 12 shots, a 70% success rate. The Badgers gave up 8 offensive rebounds.

Hawkeyes Preview: Will Iowa Find a Way to Win at Home?

The Hawkeyes fell to 13-9 on the season after a 90-81 loss to Purdue on Tuesday. Iowa, who entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points reached 171, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 155.5.

After a 36-36 tie at halftime, Iowa allowed 54 points in the 2nd half while scoring 45 of their own. Defensive struggles continue to be a concern for the Hawkeyes as they look to bounce back in their next outing.

Hawkeyes Offense Breakdown

Iowa's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 81 points while shooting 51.7% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 62.1%, thanks in part to their 67.9% shooting on two-point attempts. From beyond the arc, they hit 11 of 30 threes, good for 36.7%.

Braden Smith led the way with 31 points, shooting 73.3% overall and 71.4% from three (5/7). Josh Dix added 27 points, and Trey Kaufman-Renn contributed 25 points and 7 rebounds. Payton Sandfort also chipped in with 23 points, hitting 5 threes at a 45.5% clip.

Hawkeyes Team Defense

Despite Iowa's defensive struggles, they managed to put up 90 points in their last game. The Hawkeyes shot 51% from the field, making 30 of their 58 attempts.

Inside the arc, Iowa was especially effective, hitting 67% of their two-point shots (19/28). They also made 11 of their 30 three-point attempts, shooting 36% from deep. From the free-throw line, they went 10/16, shooting 62%.

Badgers vs Hawkeyes Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their last three road contests, Wisconsin has a 2-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 1-2, while averaging 75 points per game.
Across their five previous home games, Iowa has an ATS mark of 1-4. Their straight up record in these matchups was 0-5 while averaging 78 points per game.
Looking back on the team's last three games as the underdog, the Hawkeyes have a straight up record of 0-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 0-3.
In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Badgers have a straight up record of 9-1 and an ATS mark of 7-3.