The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers are set to clash at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, this Sunday. With tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, the matchup is drawing significant attention, especially regarding betting odds from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Iowa, boasting a record of 19-7 and 9-6 in the Big Ten, recently halted a two-game losing streak by defeating the No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers 57-52. The Hawkeyes not only secured a victory but also covered the spread as 1.5-point home favorites, with the game going under the total of 139.5 points. Bennett Stirtz was pivotal for Iowa, scoring 25 points, including 10 of the team’s final 14 points, while Cooper Koch contributed 10 points.
Conversely, Wisconsin heads into this game with an 18-8 overall record and a 10-5 Big Ten standing. The Badgers experienced a setback on Tuesday, falling 86-69 to the Ohio State Buckeyes. As 1.5-point road underdogs, they failed to cover the spread, although Braeden Carrington shone as the team’s top scorer with 20 points and five 3-pointers. Both Nick Boyd and John Blackwell added 14 points apiece.
Historically, Wisconsin has had the upper hand in their meetings with Iowa, winning six of the last seven matchups, including a decisive 74-63 win earlier this month on Feb. 8, 2025, where they covered as 5.5-point road favorites.
BetMGM Sportsbook has set the odds for this game, listing Iowa at +125 on the moneyline (bet $100 to win $125), while Wisconsin stands at -150 (bet $150 to win $100). The spread is Iowa +2.5 and Wisconsin -2.5, with an over/under of 146.5.
Expert predictions favor Wisconsin, with a projected score of 80 for the Badgers to 73 for the Hawkeyes. The analysis suggests that while Wisconsin is likely to rebound from their recent loss, better value lies in their spread. Wisconsin boasts an impressive home record of 13-2 this season and 28-4 over the past two years, making it a formidable opponent on their home court.
On offense, Wisconsin averages 83.1 points per game, with pressure from players like Boyd and Blackwell posing challenges for Iowa’s defense, particularly during road games. Iowa’s recent gameplay has demonstrated defensive inconsistency, especially on the road, suggesting that Wisconsin’s uptempo playstyle could be the key to success.
Additionally, the over/under of 146.5 points appears promising. Despite Iowa’s slower pace under coach Ben McCollum, games have tended to produce higher scores. With both teams capable of offensive firepower, there is a strong likelihood that the total will exceed the set number.
As these two teams prepare to face off, fans can expect an exciting matchup filled with intensity and potential standout performances. The historical context, paired with current forms, paints an intriguing picture for the NCAA basketball landscape this Sunday.