The Wisconsin Badgers have played some of their best basketball on a neutral court this season. That will be tested again in the 2024 NCAA Tournament as Wisconsin (22-13) looks for its second deep run in a March tournament this year, starting with a matchup against No. 12 James Madison (31-3) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The Badgers are 5-1 ATS on neutral courts this season, including covering the number in three of four games during their run to the Big Ten Tournament final. James Madison went 3-1-1 ATS on neutral courts this season, including going 2-1 ATS in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament en route to claiming the conference's automatic bid.
Tipoff is 9:40 p.m. ET from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Badgers are 5.5-point favorites in the latest James Madison vs. Wisconsin odds, according to the Sportsline consensus, with an over/under of 144 points. Before making any Wisconsin vs. James Madison picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters the 2024 NCAA tournament on a 148-106 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $1,700 for $100 players. It also has a strong 29-19 (+810) record on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Wisconsin vs. James Madison. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for James Madison vs. Wisconsin:
- Wisconsin vs. James Madison spread: Wisconsin -5.5
- Wisconsin vs. James Madison over/under: 144 points
- Wisconsin vs. James Madison money line: Wisconsin -234, James Madison +190
- WISC: 5-1 ATS over its last six games
- JM: 3-1-1 ATS at neutral sites this season
- Wisconsin vs. James Madison picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Wisconsin can cover
Wisconsin held opponents to the 13th fewest rebounds, including the sixth-fewest offensive rebounds, in the country. In a tough, physical Big Ten that sent six teams to the 2024 NCAA Tournament, that's no easy feat. Steven Crowl, a 7-foot junior center, averaged 7.1 rebounds per game as a physical force to keep opposing teams off the glass. He added 11.2 points per game and can also stretch the floor, knocking down seven 3-pointers while shooting 53.8% from deep over four games in the Big Ten Tournament.
Sophomore AJ Storr, a 6-foot-7 guard, is coming off some dominant performances during a Big Ten Tournament run to the championship game. The sophomore averaged 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in a Big Ten Tournament run that improved the team's seeding, including 20 points in a 76-75 victory over top-seeded Purdue in the semifinals. Wisconsin played four ranked opponents in non-conference play before beginning league play in one of the toughest conferences in the country, so they'll be plenty battle-tested entering a matchup against James Madison. See which team to pick at SportsLine.
Why James Madison can cover
Very few mid-major teams have a top-five victory on their resume entering the NCAA Tournament, but it took James Madison just one game to do that this season. The Dukes opened their year with a 79-76 road victory over Michigan State, the preseason No. 4 team in the country at the time. James Madison went on to win its first 14 games of the season en route to its first season of at least 30 wins in program history. The Dukes will enter well rested, last playing on March 11 in a 91-71 win over Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference final, and James Madison is 9-3 ATS when playing after at least four days of rest this season.
James Madison has been a streaky team throughout its incredible season as the Dukes enter the NCAA Tournament with the nation's longest winning streak (13) after also winning their first 14 contests. James Madison is 13th in college basketball in scoring (83 points per game), led by 17.4 ppg by junior guard Terrence Edwards Jr. The Dukes have held opponents to the second-lowest shooting percentage on 3-pointers (28.6%) in the nation and James Madison is 23rd in opposing effective shooting percentage against the Dukes have the offensive and defensive ability to battle with Wisconsin on Friday. See which team to pick at SportsLine.
How to make James Madison vs. Wisconsin picks
The model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 152 points. It also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Wisconsin vs. James Madison, and which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the computer model that is 29-19 on top-rated college basketball spread picks this season.
