The 3-seed Wisconsin Badgers (24-7) and the 14-seed Colgate Raiders (23-11) will square off on Friday night during the first round of March Madness. We should get a good game, as this matchup is a lot closer than the seeding indicates.
In a tournament that features a whopping nine teams hailing from the Big Ten, Wisconsin won the conference and finished with an impressive 15-5 conference record.
Colgate also won its conference with a 16-2 record against the Patriot League, and while the conferences are vastly different in terms of talent, the Raiders are still a capable team on both ends of the floor that could surprise the Badgers.
Wisconsin vs Colgate Odds
Wisconsin vs Colgate CBB gameday odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook and current as of 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 15.
- Moneyline: Wisconsin (-350) vs Colgate (+270)
- ATS: Wisconsin -7.5 (-110) vs Colgate +7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 139.5 (-110) / Under 139.5 (-110)
- Implied Score: Wisconsin 73.5, Colgate 66
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Wisconsin vs Colgate Prediction
Colgate is one of my sleepers in this tournament if they can get past Wisconsin. The Raiders are criminally underrated every season due to the conference they play in, and that bias will create a Cinderella effect for the program one day.
If this year is that time for them, they will have to get through a talented Badgers team.
- Print your 2022 March Madness bracket.
Colgate comes in with a lopsided attack that is weighted heavily towards the offensive end. They ranked 53rd in the country in scoring with 76.1 points per game and finished 23rd in Offensive Rating.
The Raiders’ defense is less impressive, however, ranking 117th in points allowed per game and 134th in Defensive Rating. That could end up costing them a potentially close game against the Badgers.
Wisconsin vs Colgate Score Pick
Wisconsin 72, Colgate 68
As much as I like Wisconsin to win this game, Colgate is too good of a squad to allow the Badgers to control the flow of this one. The Raiders’ defense will be an issue, but if they can bring max effort on that end of the floor they’ll have an outside chance of toppling Wisconsin.
Colgate is one of the best mid-major programs in the NCAA and has some serious Cinderella equity in the context of their competition.
Wisconsin vs Colgate Best Bets
Colgate +7.5 (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Colgate should keep this game close enough to cover. I do not envision them getting blown out even though Wisconsin is a fantastic, well-balanced team.
The Badgers have been far from dominant lately, as their last five games have all been decided by single digits. Wisconsin is also coming off back-to-back losses, so take the Raiders to cover for our CBB bet of the day with the Badgers’ poor second-half history playing a key role.
Colgate Moneyline (+270) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 0.5 Units
This is nothing more than a dart throw, but I believe Colgate’s offensive attack is an awful matchup for Wisconsin’s defense. The Raiders also are coming into this game with a ton of momentum after winning 15 straight, while the Badgers might be vulnerable after losing back-to-back contests.
Colgate could surprise everyone and take down Wisconsin, but it will take a ton of good breaks and lots of variance in the Raiders’ direction. It’s worth placing a small bet on Colgate at such a great price.
