The fifth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers welcome in the Illinois Fighting Illini in Big Ten College Basketball action today. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CBS. Currently the College Basketball Betting Odds have the Badgers favored by double digits in this one.

Wisconsin has been the best team in the Big Ten all season and is looking to pick up a regular season title. Illinois struggled at times this season and played without their best player Rayvonte Rice for a period of time, but they are red hot right now, winners of four straight and five of their last six games overall.

Illinois is fighting to get into the NCAA Tournament and picking up a win, on the road, against a very good Wisconsin team would certainly help the resume. Even a close loss could benefit the Fighting Illini, but getting blown out won't look good. The Fighting Illini have not been a good road team this season, winning just two of their five contests — they did just beat Michigan State in East Lansing, though. 

The Badgers are cruising, winners of seven straight games overall. They've been an amazing team in home games this season, winners of 12 of their 13 games there. In Big Ten games the Badgers have been very good as well, picking up victories there by an average of almost 17 points per game on their own floor. Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky have both been excellent for Bo Ryan's club this season with Kaminsky probably earning the Big Ten Player of the Year honors at the end of the season. Both will cause some matchups problems today against Illinois.

Illinois has been playing very good defense in this winning streak, not allowing a team to reach 60 points. It'll be an impressive feat if they can do that today against Wisconsin, but also not likely.

The Badgers are very good at home and even though Illinois needs a win in a game like this, they won't be able to beat the Badgers.

Free Pick: Wisconsin 68, Illinois 59

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