The Michigan State Spartans take on the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, WI. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Michigan State is favored by 1.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -125. The total is set at 145.5 points.
Here’s my Michigan State vs. Wisconsin prediction and college basketball picks for February 13, 2026.
Michigan State vs Wisconsin Prediction
My Pick: Wisconsin +1.5 (Play to -1)
My Michigan State vs Wisconsin best bet is on the Badgers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Michigan State vs. Wisconsin Odds
| Michigan State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 145.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
| Wisconsin Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 145.5 -110o / -110u | +105 |
- Michigan State vs Wisconsin spread: Michigan State -1.5
- Michigan State vs Wisconsin over/under: 145.5 points
- Michigan State vs Wisconsin moneyline: Michigan State -125, Wisconsin +105
Michigan State vs Wisconsin College Basketball Betting Preview
Michigan State Basketball
Michigan State dropped two in a row to begin February, including a road loss to Minnesota.
Tom Izzo's team bounced back massively on Saturday, though, taking down Illinois in overtime in what was a heck of a college basketball game.
The Spartans now head west to Madison after five days off to face another quality opponent in Wisconsin.
The Spartans aren't an elite offensive outfit, but just as is usually the case under Izzo, they can really guard and rebound.
Michigan State ranks fourth nationally in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency rankings and first in the entire country in limiting offensive rebounds.
Despite those sexy metrics, it'll be a difficult challenge on Saturday, given that the Badgers can really shoot the ball at all five positions.
The Spartans will need to make a concentrated effort to close out and contest 3-point attempts and live with the Badgers' guards attempting difficult shots at the rim.
On the other end of the floor, for Michigan State to really elevate itself into a true Final Four contender, it'll need someone not named Jeremy Fears Jr. to step up and be a consistent scoring option out of the backcourt.
Fears has been unbelievable, especially in recent weeks, but he can't do it all on his own against elite defensive teams.
Michigan State has a plethora of capable bigs — led by Jaxon Kohler — but the lack of outside shooting has led to droughts on offense at various points throughout the season.
Coen Carr is one of the most athletic wings in America and certainly does a lot to help this team, but he's not a huge threat from beyond the arc.
Taking care of the basketball will also be key in a game Friday night that could come down to the final possession.
Wisconsin Basketball
Had there not been a questionable whistle late in overtime at Assembly Hall that gave Indiana two free throws with less than 10 seconds left, the Badgers would be entering this game winners of nine of their last 10.
Even still, they bounced back with an extremely impressive victory in Champaign over the Illini and are as hot as any team in the conference.
An elite head coach and great guard play are two necessary ingredients for success in March. Wisconsin has that with Greg Gard leading the show, and the combination of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell in the backcourt.
Both have a ton of experience, can make big shots in crunch time from distance and can get to the rim to either score it or distribute the ball to the open man.
While those two guards get most of the buzz, I've also been extremely impressed watching big man Nolan Winter.
The junior is a true seven-footer who's a load on the backboards, but beyond that, he has a smooth shooting stroke that extends all the way out beyond the 3-point line.
Winter also seems to always be in the right spot and does a good job of contesting without fouling on the defensive end.
Gard will need him to avoid foul trouble against a Michigan State team that's really physical and can throw a revolving door of different bigs at you.
If there's a weakness for this Wisconsin team, it's on the defensive end, where the Badgers still sit outside the top 50 in efficiency rankings.
To my eye, the effort level has increased on that end in recent weeks, which has resulted in some big wins against strong competition.
If the Badgers can play with a chip on their shoulder on that end on Friday, I like their chances of outpacing the Spartans.
Michigan State vs. Wisconsin Betting Analysis
These two programs have arguably been the most consistent in the Big Ten going back the last two decades.
Most of the time when they square off, it's physical, it's hard-nosed, and it comes right down to the wire.
I don't expect the script to be much different Friday night in Madison, but I give the edge to the home team.
Wisconsin has found a new level going back the last handful of weeks, and there's no better time to be playing your best basketball than right now with March approaching.
The Badgers have been shooting the ball lights out in the Kohl Center, and I think they'll make a couple more plays late to edge out a Spartans team that can sometimes go on dry spells on the offensive end.
Give me Wisconsin to cover as a short home underdog, and I would also endorse a play on the moneyline at +100 or better.
My Pick: Wisconsin +1.5 (Play to -1)
