Best Bets in the Big Ten - Spartans lead the Field
by Mike Rose
Big Ten Power Poll
The BetUS Sportsbook and the following details each teams ATS mark over the last week of action.
1: Michigan State Spartans (13-9-1 ATS, 21-5 SU) (8-5-1 ATS, 11-3 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 3) A three-game winning streak both SU and ATS came to an end for the Spartans in their trip to Purdue, but they averted a totally disastrous week by posting a huge second half rally in a sizeable victory over Wisconsin. They’ve covered three straight at home since losing to Penn State, and now welcome in the Hawkeyes this week.
This Week: Home vs. Iowa
2: Illinois Fighting Illini (13-9-1 ATS, 22-6 SU) (7-6-1 ATS, 10-5 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 4) The Illini erased the memories of a heartless 38-33 loss to Penn State by marching into Columbus and pushing the Buckeyes to the brink of the NCAA bubble. With just three games left to the regular season, they are only worried about positioning in the dance. Illinois has alternated sports betting wins and losses in each of its L/6 games.
This Week: Home vs. Minnesota
3: Penn State Nittany Lions (12-7-1 ATS, 19-8 SU) (8-5-1 ATS, 8-6 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 2) Has Penn State done enough to get in the field of 65? The Nittany Lions picked up a huge road victory in Champaign last week, and though it wasn’t pretty, the 38-33 win suited PSU bettors just fine. Barring an upset at the hands of the Hoosiers this week, the Lions may only need to find one other victory to go dancing.
This Week: Away @ Ohio State, Home vs. Indiana
4: March Madness two weeks ago, the Buckeyes are tempting fate. They lost to both Illinois and Northwestern last week, and now have to contend with a stingy Penn State squad which is also fighting for its tournament life.
This Week: Home vs. Penn State
5: Iowa Hawkeyes (12-9 ATS, 14-13 SU) (7-7 ATS, 4-10 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 5) The offensive woes were in play again for the Hawkeyes, but the benefit of an extra five minutes pushed their total this week to 70 points in a 70-60 OT win over Big Blue. The win moved Iowa to 6-3 ATS in its L/9 games. A .500 ATS road record will be tested twice this week.
This Week: Away @ Michigan State, Away @ Northwestern
6: Northwestern Wildcats (10-9-1 ATS, 14-11 SU) (5-8 ATS, 5-9 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 8) The Wildcats took care of business against Ohio State in the final game of a three-game home stand, but responded with a 72-45 dud in Minnesota. With losses in three straight road games both SU and ATS, Northwestern could be on upset alert this week in Bloomington.
This Week: Away @ Indiana, Home vs. Iowa
7: Michigan Wolverines (11-10-1 ATS, 16-11 SU) (6-9 ATS, 6-9 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 6) In spite of a few quality out of conference victories, the Wolverines are beginning to look more and more like an NIT team. A 70-60 OT loss at Iowa is just inexcusable at this point in the season, and now in all likelihood, Big Blue will need to win at least two of its final three games and then make a decent run in the Big 10 Tournament to go dancing.
This Week: Home vs. Purdue
8: basketball betting line. They stuck with Purdue for quite awhile before losing 81-67 in Lafayette, but never struggled with the 21.5-point spread. If there’s a win left on the schedule, this is the week to get it, as Northwestern is a poor visiting club.
This Week: Home vs. Northwestern, Away @ Penn State
And the rest…
9: Purdue Boilermakers (11-12 ATS, 21-6 SU) (7-7 ATS, 10-4 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 10)
10: Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-11-1 ATS, 20-7 SU) (6-9 ATS, 8-7 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 9)
11: Wisconsin Badgers (11-13-1 ATS, 17-10 SU) (6-8-1 ATS, 8-7 SU in Big Ten) (LW: 11)
