This juncture of the calendar presents tricky handicapping situations, forcing sports bettors to stay nimble and thorough. The math-driven gamblers influence the market more than anything, but bettors can find good opportunities if they do their homework.
The Big Ten regular-season schedule concludes this weekend. Three ranked schools are tied for third place, which means one of those schools will not finish among the top four teams. That is relevant because only the top four receive a double bye in next week’s Big Ten conference tournament.
While that technically is incentive for No. 12 Wisconsin to handle its business against Penn State as a 12.5-point favorite, I am unsure whether it is a giant motivator. Rather, I think this is a somewhat flat situational handicapping spot. The Nittany Lions are not their rival or traditional blue blood, so I question the energy and motivation.
Meanwhile, this is Penn State’s final game, as it was just eliminated from conference-tournament consideration in its last game. With that being said, I do believe the Nittany Lions will continue playing hard and finish the season strong. They are 2-2 outright in their past four games while covering all four.
I think there is a good chance the Badgers start emotionally drained from Senior Day festivities and lack excitement with an uninspiring opponent, so I will play Penn State in the first half +7.5 points. I am 30-17 ATS overall in The Post sports section, but I am looking to bounce back after consecutive losses.
I spoke with a professional bettor and he expressed some concern that Penn State has nothing left in the tank, given it lost by four points in its most recent game, which was its final chance to keep postseason chances alive. I can see that, but the Nittany Lions are also led by seniors who should want to finish off the season properly. I will take my chances that they at least start off competitively with a first-half wager.
Betting on College Basketball?
The play: Penn State +7.5 first-half (-110, BetMGM Sportsbook)
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