Colgate vs. Wisconsin Prediction and Odds for NCAA Men's Tournament First Round
After being Big 10 co-champions in the regular season, the Wisconsin Badgers had a disappointing quarter final exit in the conference tournament.
Despite the tournament loss, Wisconsin has been awarded with a No. 3 in the Midwest Region. They'll meet No. 14 Colgate in the first round, who went 23-11 overall and won the Patriot League. The winner will take on the winner of LSU and Iowa State in the Round of 32.
Here are the odds via WynnBET for this first round matchup, as well as some analysis, trends, and my prediction for the game.
Colgate vs. Wisconsin Odds, Spread, and Total
Spread:
- Colgate +7.5 (-110)
- Wisconsin -7.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Colgate +260
- Wisconsin -320
Total:
- 139.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Colgate vs. Wisconsin Betting Trends, Insights, and Analysis
Colgate
- Regular Season Record: 23-11
- ATS Record: 17-15-1
- Over/Under Record: 16-17
- SoS: 197th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 108.3
- Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 104.1
- eFG%: 55.9%
- FT%: 69.3%
- 3PT%: 40.1%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: Round of 64 (Lost to Arkansas)
- Odds to win National Championship: +30000
Wisconsin
- Overall Record: 24-7
- ATS Record: 17-14
- Over/Under Record: 18-12-1
- SoS: 16th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 110.4
- Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 94.8
- eFG%: 48.2%
- FT%: 74.2%
- 3PT%: 31.2%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: Round of 32 (Lost to Baylor)
- Odds to win National Championship: +10000
Colgate vs. Wisconsin Prediction and Pick
I've been on my soap box all season long that I don't think this Wisconsin team is nearly as good as their record, and my point was proven to an extent in the Big Ten tournament.
One of their biggest weaknesses is their shooting, which is exactly where Colgate excels. Wisconsin ranks 259th in effective field goal percentage while Colgate ranks 11th. Not only that, but no team has been shooting better over their last three games than Colgate, who has an effective field goal percentage of 66.6% over that span. That's leagues above Wisconsin, whose effective field goal percentage over that span is only 42.5%.
Both teams rank similar on defense, at 111th in defensive efficiency and 127th.
I think Colgate's shooting is good enough to at least keep them in this game, if not lead them to an outright upset.
Pick: Colgate +260
Check out Iain's detailed 2022 college basketball betting record here.
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