Jan. 3 Big Ten Basketball Predictions: Michigan State Heads to Wisconsin

My New Year's plans, and a late posting of the lines over the weekend, prevented me from submitting my predictions in time as 2011 wound to a close. My record will thank me, as I never would have been able to predict Iowa's stunning upset in Madison.

Tomorrow night, the now-pissed-off Badgers get a chance to atone for their previous performance when they welcome in one of the nation's hottest teams: the Michigan State Spartans.

Let's see if I can continue my hot start to predicting the Big Ten season.

For the Season

Against the Spread: 6-1-0

Straight Up: 7-0

6:30 PM: Nebraska at No. 6 Ohio State (-23.5)

This might be the highest line we see in Big Ten play all year.

The underwhelming sensation that is "Nebrasketball" makes its first conference trip to Columbus, where a ticked-off Buckeyes squad will be waiting for them. After dropping their second game of the season—the first with Jared Sullinger in the lineup—in Bloomington to end 2011, look for Ohio State to start 2012 by taking out their frustrations on an overmatched Nebraska team.

The Huskers put up a valiant fight in the first half against Michigan State over the weekend, but the script should change as they leave the friendly confines of their home floor. They'll have a chance to back-door cover if/when Ohio State puts their backups in, but don't count on it.

Straight Up: Ohio State

Against the Spread: Ohio State, -23.5

7:00 PM: No. 10 Michigan State at No. 18 Wisconsin (-5)

Like the Buckeyes, the Badgers are coming off of a stunning New Year's Eve loss. Unlike the Buckeyes, the Badgers are forced to rebound against one of the toughest teams in the country.

Michigan State still hasn't lost since opening the season against North Carolina and Duke. More importantly, unless you count a deceptive double-digit victory against Indiana (a case could be made either way), they haven't even come close to losing since starting 0-2. 

The Spartans are firing on all cylinders, but they head into a building that has been historically unfriendly to them. They won on the road at Gonzaga this year, which was impressive—particularly for a young team—but nowhere near as difficult as winning in the Kohl Center is.

Expect a typical Michigan State-Wisconsin matchup. These teams both personify their coaches and will show up ready to beat the crap out of their opponents in the paint. If I really had to bet anything here, I'd look at the under (listed at 119), but for the sake of predictions, I tend to side with the home team. Especially when they are coming off a loss.

Straight Up: Wisconsin

Against the Spread: Wisconsin