Oregon Ducks vs Wisconsin Badgers

Combine the Badgers (-417) and the Blue Devils (-500) into a 2-team parlay at -205 odds.

Wisconsin topped Liberty at home, 75-71, but now takes a long road trip for this NIT battle. Wisconsin was the third-worst team in the 14-team Big Ten standings and has a losing road mark. The Badgers were the second-worst scoring team in scoring (65.7 ppg) and shooting (.418), plus 11th in free-throw shooting (.688), while the defense was the third-worst in field goal shooting allowed (.445). Wisconsin is 7-17 ATS after back-to-back games committing 11 or fewer turnovers. Oregon has home court and has been motivated in this tournament under coach Dana Altman. They've routed UC-Irvine (84-58) and Central Florida (68-54). Oregon is 95-57 ATS in March action, plus 23-9 ATS at home off two straight double-digit home victories. Play Oregon.

A pair of sharp defensive teams meet. With more at stake the deeper we go in Big Dance action the more defense coaches demand of their players. Oregon is seventh in the Pac 12 in field goal defense, fifth in three-point defense, and third in steals. Oregon is 4-0 UNDER the total against a team with a winning percentage above .600. Wisconsin is a powerhouse defensive team for Bo Ryan, tops in the Big 10 in scoring defense (56.6 points per game allowed) and rebounding defense. This is the fifth game in 11 days for the Badgers after winning the Big 10 tourney and topping Coastal Carolina two nights ago. Wisconsin is 5-2 UNDER the total following a spread loss, so look for the Badgers to control the tempo with fierce defense and a slow pace for two plays. Play UNDER the game total and the First Half UNDER.

The Oregon Ducks got off to a flying start at 13-0, but then they floundered over a 10-game stretch to go 2-8. It looked like they may not even get a bid at that point. They finally regained their confidence and have since gone on to win 9 of their last 10. If you take out the 10-game swoon, the Ducks are 21-1 on the season. Part of the losing streak was four losses by 2 points, and another by 4, and their confidence took a huge hit. They are back, and a much better team than their record indicates. Wisconsin suffered through a similar swoon, but as good as this Badgers' defense has been over the years, this year they are not quite up to that standard. As a result, a strong Oregon offense should be able to get this one down to the wire. The Ducks are all about confidence, and are now 18-6-3 ATS following a win. Grab the points and play on Oregon.