2012 NCAA Basketball Picks: Ohio State @ Wisconsin Odds and Predictions – Free NCAAB Picks 2/4/2012

Free College Basketball Picks and Spreads: Ohio State @ Wisconsin 2012 NCAA Basketball Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ESPN 2/4/12: The top spot in the Big Ten will be up for grabs Saturday when the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (19-3) travel to Madison to face the 20th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers (18-5). Both teams bring plenty of momentum into the matchup, with the Buckeyes winning four straight and the Badgers winning six in a row. The two schools have become bitter rivals in the football world, and the rivalry has spilled over into basketball in recent years. With first place in the conference on the line in this one, the intensity should only increase. Even though the Badgers enjoy one of the best home-court advantages in the country, Ohio State is a two-point favorite.

While both teams aren’t afraid to be physical, there will definitely be different styles of play at work Saturday. The Buckeyes have a potent, efficient offense, ranking 27th in points scored (77.3) and 11th in field goal percentage (49.2). They play through the post but aren’t afraid to push the tempo in transition. Wisconsin on the other hand is far from impressive on the stat sheet, scoring just 64.6 points per game and shooting just 43.1 percent from the field. However, the Badgers run a deliberate, ball-control offense, bleeding the shot clock and limiting possessions for opponents. Given the success of both teams, it is tough to say that one style is better than the other.

For Ohio State, the play of center Jared Sullinger is critical. He is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.1 points and 9.1 rebounds. More importantly, Sullinger shoots nearly 59 percent from the field, and he consistently gets to the foul line or scores on the block. His presence forces defenses to collapse, opening things up for the Ohio State perimeter players. Wisconsin will likely try to slow down Sullinger by rotating fresh bodies at him throughout the game. In fact, the Badgers have three players in Jared Berggren, Ryan Evans and Mike Bruesewitz that can take turns banging on Sullinger. Not to mention the fact that the Badgers are one of the tougher teams against post players on the defensive end. Add it up, and Sullinger could be in for a tough afternoon.

Wisconsin’s main player on offense is point guard Jordan Taylor. He is the Badgers’ leading scorer and the only player that can create his own shot on a regular basis. For a team that struggles to score efficiently, an off game for Taylor can be a death sentence. Unfortunately for Wisconsin, the Buckeyes have one of the best perimeter defenders in the country in Aaron Craft. Taylor has a strength advantage, but Craft has yet to meet an opposing guard that he couldn’t give fits. Taylor may be forced to take on more of a distributor’s role in order to jump start the Badgers offense.

The X-factor in the matchup could be Ohio State guard William Buford. He is averaging 15.0 points per game and has been the most reliable perimeter scorer for the Buckeyes this season. Buford has a strong mid-range game, and with Wisconsin’s defense likely focusing on Sullinger, he should have plenty of open looks. If he knocks down his shots early, Buford will be that added dimension that the Badgers can’t account for.

With both Ohio State and Wisconsin equipped with the personnel to stop the other side’s best player, a low-scoring game could be on tap. Any basketball fan familiar with the Big Ten knows that the conference can produce some ugly offense at times, and Saturday’s game could be another example. While the Buckeyes have the better role players, a majority of them are younger, and playing on the road will neutralize the advantage to a degree. The Badgers know how to win ugly, especially at home, and they should be able to keep Saturday’s game close by forcing the high-scoring Buckeyes to play at their pace.

Prediction: Wisconsin Badgers (+4) Cover the Spread

Stop by NSAwins.com daily throughout the NCAA Basketball season for daily Free College Basketball Picks and Vegas College Basketball Lines plus daily updated Men’s 2012 National Championship Futures Odds.