Tuesday College Basketball Betting Previews: Wisconsin-Xavier, Georgetown-Illinois

A host of inter-conference college basketball series begin this week, including the Gavitt Games, which pits the Big Ten against the Big East.

Let's focus on two of those contests (Wisconsin at Xavier, Georgetown at Illinois) to find some value within Tuesday's college basketball slate.

Betting Odds: Wisconsin at Xavier

• Spread: Wisconsin -1.5
• Over/under: 145
• Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
• TV channel: Fox Sports 1

This duel should be one of the best matchups of the week, especially with preseason All-American Ethan Happ in the mix.

After Wisconsin (0-1 against the spread) failed to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998, Happ returned to school and has continued to refine his game. He notched a triple-double (10 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists) and 2 blocks in their season-opening win against Coppin State.

The Musketeers (0-2 ATS) have depth upfront, spurted by 6-foot-9 Tyrique Jones, but Happ's ability to search for his own shot while finding the open man is uncanny. Wisconsin's 3-point shooting is improved from last season (33.5%), and Xavier's perimeter defense has taken a major hit without Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura.

Look for Happ to wear down the Musketeers before setting up the rest of the Wisconsin's offense in its slow-paced halfcourt sets.

Xavier needs 6-foot-7 Najai Marshall to step up offensively, yet he's been sluggish because of an illness suffered before the season. Him and his teammates could be aided by the Badgers' struggle to limit second-chance opportunities, an area Xavier has excelled at (41% Offensive Rebounding Rate).

Nevertheless, Wisconsin possesses two of the top shot blockers around in Happ and Nate Reuvers, assisting its overall sound defense.

If it comes down to the wire like the line projects, the Badgers are one of the best free-throw shooting teams in Division I (88.3%). That area has been a glaring weakness for the Musketeers through their two games (56.0%).

THE PICK:  Wisconsin -1.5 and under 145

Georgetown at Illinois

• Spread: Illinois -6
• Over/under: 155.5
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV channel: Fox Sports 1

Remember Brad Underwood's pressure defenses at Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State? The scheme has relocated to Champaign-Urbana, and the Fighting Illini's upgraded unit is prepared for the task in his second season at the helm.

It could also be Georgetown's Achilles heel with a freshman-led backcourt featuring James Akinjo and Mac McClung. The Hoyas own a 21.8% Turnover Rate through two games while Illinois (1-0 ATS) forced Evansville into a 31.9 Turnover Rate in its first affair, led by five-star guard Ayo Dosunmu.

The 6-foot-5 guard displayed his athletic wingspan to disrupt the Purple Aces' offense, collecting three steals. Fellow guard Trent Frazier is just as effective in that department, and the two create mismatches at the other end since they're both handlers and can hit perimeter shots.

Although Georgetown (0-2 ATS) has a dominant center in Jessie Govan (19.5 points per game), the Illini will bring a lengthy defensive frontcourt — with 6-foot-9 freshman Giorgi Bezhanishvili leading the way thus far. Alan Griffin (injury) and Samba Kane (suspension) will return to their rotation, too.

Each team will aim to play at a high-tempo, but Illinois' up-and-coming defense should win out.

THE PICK: Illinois -6

Editor’s note: The opinions on this game are from the individual writers and are based on their research, analysis and perspective. They are independent of, and may not always match with, the algorithm-driven Best Bets from Sports Insights.