by
Eddie Keen
The sportsbooks have opened up Wisconsin as a 4.5 point favorite in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are looking fairly even at the betting window; Butler is four games over .500 (17-13 ATS) and Wisconsin is five games over .500 (17-12 ATS). Both teams have won 25 games straight up so far this season, so who will make it 26 straight up wins?
Butler is coming into this matchup with tons of momentum as they have been on fire as of late, winning their last 11 games and they have also covered the spread in their last four games. They are coming off a near miracle win over number one seed Pittsburgh 71-70, as eight point underdogs. Butler has a perfect 7-0 ATS record this season when playing on a neutral court and they also are 16-5 ATS when playing as an underdog over the last three seasons. Butler has only missed two covers so far this season when playing in a non-conference game (9-2 ATS) and they have cashed eight of nine games when coming off a close win by three points or less. Will Butler get the outright win or will the miracle run come to an end with a blowout loss to Wisconsin?
Going back to last year’s Finals run, the Bulldogs are a perfect 8-0 ATS in the NCAA Tournament.
Wisconsin is coming off back to back wins, both straight up and against the spread over Kansas State 70-65, as 3.5 point favorites and also Belmont 72-58, as 4.5 point favorites. They look to build off that momentum going into this matchup against Butler. Wisconsin is one game under .500 when playing away from home (8-9 ATS) but they are going to be fired up since it is the NCAA Tournament. Will Wisconsin cover the spread, or is 4.5 points too many?
Taking a look at the total, which is set at a fair 124 point number, this game definitely has a chance to go both ways. Both teams have gone over the number more than under so far this season. Butler has an 18-13 Over record while Wisconsin is 17-11 Over this season. Both teams are coming off games that went over the total, but each is looking to have a strong defensive performance. Both teams average over 68 points per game this season, which would put this Sweet 16 matchup over the total. With a close game all the way to the end, should we expect the Under or will one team take off in the final minutes to fly the total Over the number?
