The Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers will meet in the Big Ten championship game on Sunday afternoon, just hours prior to the NCAA Tournament being announced.
These teams met all the way back on Dec. 3 in Madison with Michigan pulling out a three-point victory. Could we see that happen again in the conference title game, or will the Badgers get their revenge?
Find out below as we make a prediction and break down the spread, total, and money line bets.
Wisconsin vs. Michigan Betting Preview
All Wisconsin vs. Michigan odds are from Fanduel Sportsbook and are correct as of Sunday, March 16, 2025.
- Spread
Wisconsin -3.5 - Moneyline
Wisconsin -165, Michigan +140 - Over/Under
149.5 Points - Game Time
Sunday, March 16, 3:30 p.m. ET - Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, IN - How To Watch
CBS
Wisconsin has been tremendous in terms of covering this season, compiling a 22-12 record ATS. That includes 16-7 in Big Ten play, and they’ve covered each of their last two games.
Michigan tends to play many close games, resulting in them covering only 15 of their 33 games — but the Wolverines have covered both of their conference tournament games.
Both squads have a propensity for going over the point total, as the Badgers average 80.6 ppg to Michigan’s 78.8 ppg. Similarly, they both allow over 70 ppg. While Wisconsin has gone over in three of their last four games, the Wolverines have gone over in each of their last two outings.
Wisconsin vs. Michigan Preview
The Badgers enter with a 26-8 overall record and have gone 16-7 (including conference tournament games) in the Big Ten. They defeated the top-seeded Michigan State Spartans in the semifinals after multiple clutch plays down the stretch from first-team All-Big Ten performer John Tonje.
Michigan holds a 24-9 overall and 16-6 conference record heading into the title game. They finished the regular season having lost their last three games but have rebounded and beaten the Purdue Boilermakers and Maryland Terrapins in order to face Wisconsin.
A huge part of that has been their duo of seven-foot stars in Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf. Goldin has dominated down low in the Big Ten Tournament, totaling 40 points and 18 rebounds in two games.
Wolf is more on the perimeter but has excelled just the same, scoring 39 points, grabbing 25 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists.
Guard Tre Donaldson finished the game-winning layup against the Terrapins in the semifinals while scoring 12 points and amassing nine assists. His three-point shooting ability spaces the floor for the two big men.
On the other side, Tonje is the head of the snake for Wisconsin. He averages 19.1 ppg while grabbing 5.2 rpg. He’s been especially good in the conference tournament, scoring 25.3 ppg over three games. His last-second block against the Spartans to seal the win was one of the best defensive plays of the season.
Fellow guard John Blackwell provides 15.5 ppg, scoring efficiently as the sidekick to Tonje. He’s combined to score 32 points in the last two games on 22 shots.
Senior center Steven Crowl will match up with Goldin, and — at 248 pounds — he’ll be able to hold his own against the Wolverines big man.
The ability of Crowl to slow down Goldin would go a long way towards ensuring a Badgers victory — but not many teams have been able to do that this season.
Best Bets and Final Score Prediction
Title games tend to be closely contested matchups — and this should be no different. The first meeting between these teams was separated by only three points.
The over/under of 149.5 points suggests more scoring than I’d assume. That’s pointing towards a team pushing 80 points, something I don’t see happening.
All prior signs point towards the over being the play, as Wisconsin has gone over in three of their last four games and the Wolverines have gone over in both conference tournament games.
Despite that, conference championship games are different.
KEEP READING: Fans Debate Goaltending Call in Wisconsin vs. Michigan State Big Ten Semifinal
Take the under of 149.5 points and sit back and watch a defensive battle between two teams that will expend all of their energy towards stopping the other team.
Along with that, this game will likely come down to one of the final possessions — it did in both of their semifinal matchups as well as their regular-season meeting.
It’s extremely hard to pick a winner, as both teams have played terrific basketball during the Big Ten Tournament. For that reason, I’d take Michigan +3.5 and count on the game coming down to the final possession.
In the end, Tonje and Wisconsin will pull it out — but by the skin of their teeth.
Picks: Under 149.5 Points, Michigan +3.5
Prediction: Wisconsin 68, Michigan 66
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