Wisconsin has missed the NCAA Tournament just once this century, the canceled 2020 event not included, but the Badgers will not be Dancing later this month if they lose their Big Ten Tournament opener on Wednesday vs. Ohio State in Chicago.

Ohio State is the No. 13 seed and Wisconsin the No. 12 and the winner faces No. 5 Iowa on Thursday. The Badgers look for the season sweep as they beat visiting Ohio State 65-60 in the lone regular-season meeting on Feb. 2. Connor Essegian scored 17 points, Chucky Hepburn added 15 points, while Steven Crowl had 14 points and Max Klesmit had 12 points to lead Wisconsin.

UW shot 51.6 percent from the floor in the first half, led by Essegian scoring 14 of his 17 points in the first frame alone. Ohio State outrebounded the Badgers overall 45-26, but the Buckeyes turned the ball over 16 times compared to the Badgers turning it over only eight. The Buckeyes were led by 13 points from Brice Sensabaugh, but the freshman fouled out for OSU in the second half.

Before all else, Nitrobetting takes a peek at important game details that help you lock in on the best picks. Below, you can find event information, team and player stats, and the latest College Basketball odds. We also have timely betting trends and predictions at your disposal.

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin 2023 Big Ten Tournament Game Information

Next stop: #B1GMBBt in Chicago pic.twitter.com/zsXykjR10W

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 7, 2023

• When: Wednesday, March 8 at 6:30 pm ET
• Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
• TV: BTN
• Radio: 1460 The Fan (Ohio State) // 101.5 IBA-FM (Wisconsin)
• Live Stream: BTN.com
• NCAAB Betting Odds: Ohio State (-1.5) // Wisconsin (+1.5)

READ MORE: Penn State vs. Illinois NCAAB Odds and Preview – March 9th, 2023

Why Bet on the Ohio State Buckeyes?

Ohio State (13-18, 5-15) will be playing its season finale if it loses, as the Buckeyes have been huge disappointments this season. They closed the regular-season with an 84-78 loss at Michigan State on Saturday. The Buckeyes made 11 three-pointers, marking just the third time this season, and the first in Big Ten play, in which they made 10 or more threes in a game. They also were 11-of-12 from the foul line and have made 40 of their last 42 free throws over the last three games.

OSU’s best player is Sensabaugh, who was named third-team All-Big Ten and to the conference’s All-Freshman Team, becoming the 12th Buckeye to be on the team since 2003. He is also just the second Buckeye freshmen to earn All-Conference honors since 2015, joining Malaki Branham from last season. Sensabaugh leads the team, and all Big Ten freshmen, in scoring at 16.5 points per game. He is third on the team in rebounding at 5.2 rebounds per game and has made a team-high 59 three-pointers. Sensabaugh has led the team in scoring 18 times this season and has posted three double-doubles.

Third-year center Zed Key underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last Thursday, and he’s facing a recovery of potentially six months. Key finished the year with career-best averages of 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, with career-highs of 24 blocks and 14 steals.

Ohio State is 34-19 in the tournament and won it in 2002, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2013. The Buckeyes have finished as runners-up in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 and most recently 2021 when it lost to Illinois in overtime. No. 13 seeds are 6-8 all-time in the tournament. The Buckeyes had previously never been lower than a No. 11 seed, when they lost to No. 14 seed Rutgers in the 2017 tournament and when they lost to No. 6 seed Penn State in 1998.

Why Bet on the Wisconsin Badgers?

Wisconsin (17-13, 9-11) probably needs at least two wins in this event for a berth in the NCAA Tournament as the Badgers are on the wrong side of the bubble. They did close the regular season with a 71-67 win at Minnesota, but the Gophers are terrible.

UW’s Essegian was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and Hepburn earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. In his first season with the Badgers, Essegian ranks second for UW this season, averaging 11.9 points per game shooting 38.8 percent from 3-point range. Essegian is just the fifth Badger over the last 25 years (since 1998) to average double figures in their freshman season, joining Davison (2017-18), Happ (2015-16), Tucker (2002-03) and Devin Harris (2001-02). Hepburn leads Wisconsin with 12.2 points and 2.9 assists per game this season.

In 24 appearances in the Big Ten tournament, Wisconsin is 26-21 (.553) overall and 15-9 in opening round games. The Badgers are seeking their fourth Big Ten Tournament championship, winning the title in 2004, 2008 and most recently in 2015. UW’s three tournament titles trail only Michigan State (6) and Ohio State (4) in league history.

UW is 1-4 all-time against the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Tournament, but the two have not met with either of the two current head coaches at the helm. UW and OSU last met in the Big Ten tournament back in 2013 in the championship game.

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Betting Trends

• Buckeyes are 4-14 ATS in the last 18 games overall.
• Ohio State is 3-15 SU in the last 18 games.
• The total went under in 10 of Ohio State’s last 11 games played on a Wednesday when on the road.
• Badgers are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 neutral site games.
• Wisconsin is 15-2 SU in the last 17 games played on a Wednesday.
• The total went under in 4 of Wisconsin’s last 6 games.

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Expert Prediction

Wisconsin 68, Ohio State 67.

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022-23 NCAAB season previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest college basketball odds on our online BTC sportsbook.