Belmont vs. Wisconsin Line now at -4.5 Badgers

The Belmont vs. Wisconsin line had the Badgers as -4.5 point favorites at SBG Global (previously they were at -5).  60 percent of those betting the spread were backing Wisconsin.  The OVER/UNDER for the total was 126 with nearly 85 percent of bettors on the OVER.

Trends do not favor Wisconsin in this first round game vs. the Bruins.  They are 4-12 Against The Spread in all Tournament games over the past three seasons.  They are 9-22 ATS versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games over that same time period.  Wisconsin recently lost its last two games, including a 65-93 thrashing by Ohio State. 

The Badgers are 1-9 Against The Spread in their last 10 neutral site games as a favorite.

The Badgers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning Straight Up record. 

The Bruins are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.

The Bruins are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.

It should also be noted that a 13 seed has beaten a fourth seed in each of the last two NCAA tournaments.

The little Nashville Christian school brings a deep, sharpshooting team to its Thursday night matchup with fourth-seeded Wisconsin in the Southeast Regional, the Associated Press noted.

"We know they're very good," Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan said, "and I've been around long enough to know how good some teams are in spite of what the public or other people, what they might understand about teams or names or anything else. So, being a grizzled veteran, I'm well aware of Belmont."

Belmont has won 18 of 19 and 12 in a row.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim has made Belmont his upset pick, believing they will likely win a few of the tournament games. 

Belmont is listed as a ‘Field” option to win the 2011 NCAA Championship witha payout potential of $1400 for every $100 bet or $140 for every $10 bet.

NCAA TOURNAMENT - SECOND ROUND MCKALE CENTER, TUCSON, AZ