The Wisconsin Badgers will hit the road for the third time in their last four games on Monday night to take on the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes. The Badgers are coming off a terrible performance on Friday night, getting blown out in West Lafayette by the Purdue Boilermakers 70-51. Wisconsin managed just 15 first-half points and was unable to recover in the second half.
The Badgers are led by big man Nate Reuvers (13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds) and Kobe King (10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds). Reuvers is a player who has struggled with consistency this season but has seemingly found a groove in his last four games, averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and two blocks per game.
The 6-11 forward is also shooting 38.9 percent from behind the three-point line during that stretch. Junior forward Micah Potter’s eligibility has also been paramount for the Badgers. The Ohio State transfer became eligible on Dec. 21, and Wisconsin is 7-3 since his arrival.
Iowa continues its hot play behind All-American candidate Luka Garza. The junior forward is the leading scorer in the Big Ten at 23.2 points per game while also averaging 10.2 rebounds per contest.
Sophomore wing Joe Wieskamp and freshman point guard CJ Fredrick continue to play at a high level for the surprising Hawkeyes as well.
Iowa is a 5.5-point favorite at home, with the over/under set at 136.5.
Can Wisconsin Figure Out Its Scoring Woes?
As usual, the Badgers are heavily dependent on their defense as they are offensively challenged. Wisconsin is 299th in the nation in points per game and has scored less than 60 points in four of its last five games.
Wisconsin is 8-12 against the spread on the season and just 1-5 ATS in its last six games. The Badgers’ totals have hit the under in 11 of 20 games overall and 8 of 10 times in games away from home.
Can Iowa Continue Its Home Dominance?
The Hawkeyes are nearly perfect at Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season, boasting a 9-1 record straight up and an impressive 7-3 record against the spread at home.
On the season, Iowa is 12-6-1 ATS overall and 7-2-1 in its last 10 games ATS. Iowa has gone under in seven of its last 10 games and 12 of its 19 games overall on the season.
Can Garza Be Stopped?
I don’t believe that anyone can completely stop Garza, but Potter and Reuvers might be able to slow him down a little bit. In regards to Wisconsin’s offensive woes, Iowa is not a fantastic team defensively, If King and guard D’Mitrick Trice are able to provide some wing scoring, the Badgers could have a chance in this one.
Unfortunately for the Badgers, they are seemingly catching the Hawkeyes at just the wrong time as Iowa has won four in a row and rarely loses at home. Take the Hawkeyes to cover and play the under.
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