Half-time report
There’s only one half left between Wisconsin and the victory they were favored to get tonight. They have a bit of a lead as they currently lead Iowa 54-43.
Wisconsin came into the game with extra motivation after the loss they suffered the last time these two teams met. We’ll see if they are able to flip the script or if it will just be more of the same.
Who’s playing
Iowa Hawkeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers
Current records: Iowa 10-3, Wisconsin 10-3
How to watch
What you need to know
Iowa and Wisconsin have been tied 5-5 against each other since March 2019, but not for long. The two will face off in a Big Ten battle Friday at 7 p.m. ET at the Kohl Center. Both teams will come into this one coming off a big win.
Iowa just scored the most points of the entire season. They passed New Hamp. 112-70 Monday. The victory was nothing new for the Hawkeyes as they are now three in a row.
Iowa’s success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Seydou Traore led the charge going 6 of 10 on his way to 14 points plus six assists and three blocks. Payton Sandfort was another key player, scoring 15 points along with six rebounds and two steals.
Iowa worked as a unit and finished the game with 27 assists (they are ranked second in assists per game overall). They have easily outclassed their opponents in this department like New Hamp. only posted 13.
Meanwhile, one look at the score and it’s no surprise that Wisconsin was the clear favorite against Detroit two weeks ago. Wisconsin beat Detroit 76-53. The win made it two straight wins for the Badgers.
Wisconsin’s victory was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Nolan Winter, who had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The team also received help from John Blackwell, who had 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Iowa’s victory improved its record to 10-3. As for Wisconsin, its victory brought its record to an identical level of 10-3.
A high-performance offense is likely on the agenda, as both teams are among the highest-scoring teams in the league. Iowa has had no problem running up the score this season, averaging 89.7 points per game (they are ranked second overall). However, it’s not like Wisconsin struggled in this department, as its average was 81.5. With both teams so easily able to rack up points, the only question that remains is who can run up the score.
Iowa is hoping to defy the odds on Friday as experts believe they are headed for a loss. Be careful betting them against the spread, because while they are 8-5 overall ATS, they are only 2-7-1 against Wisconsin in their last matchups .
Odds
Wisconsin is a solid 5.5-point favorite against Iowa, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The punters were perfectly in tune with the betting community on this point, as the game opened with a 5.5 point spread and stayed there.
Oddsmakers are expecting fireworks from the offense and have pegged the over/under at a high of 162.5 points.
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History of the series
Wisconsin and Iowa both have 5 wins in their last 10 games.
- February 17, 2024 – Iowa 88 vs. Wisconsin 86
- January 2, 2024 – Wisconsin 83 vs. Iowa 72
- February 22, 2023 – Wisconsin 64 vs. Iowa 52
- December 11, 2022 – Wisconsin 78 vs. Iowa 75
- January 6, 2022 – Wisconsin 87 vs. Iowa 78
- March 12, 2021 – Iowa 62 vs. Wisconsin 57
- March 7, 2021 – Iowa 77 vs. Wisconsin 73
- February 18, 2021 – Iowa 77 vs. Wisconsin 62
- January 27, 2020 – Iowa 68 vs. Wisconsin 62
- March 7, 2019 – Wisconsin 65 vs. Iowa 45
