Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Big Ten Tournament odds, bracketology: Badgers likely miss NCAA Tournament with loss Wednesday

Does any conference have more bubble teams for the NCAA Tournament than the Big Ten? One could argue there are at least four. Wisconsin is on the wrong side of the bubble, without question, and that bubble will pop Wednesday if the 12th-seeded Badgers are upset by 13th-seeded Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament from Chicago. The Buckeyes are -2 at Caesars Sportsbook.

Excluding the canceled 2020 NCAA Tournament, the only time Wisconsin missed the Big Dance this century was in 2018. At 17-13 overall and 9-11 in Big Ten play, UW currently has an NCAA NET Ranking of just 78 and won't get much of a boost by beating a hugely disappointing Buckeyes team sitting 63rd.

ESPN has Wisconsin among its First Four Out for the NCAA Tournament along with Oklahoma State, Arizona State and North Carolina. CBS has UW also among its First Four Out with the exact same schools. If you are wondering, the Badgers didn't play any of those schools.

Most experts believe Wisconsin not only must win Wednesday but also then beat fifth-seeded Iowa in the Big Ten quarterfinals on Thursday to have an at-large shot. Or, hey, just win the tournament and get the automatic bid. UW is +5500 to do that. The Badgers are seeking their fourth Big Ten Tournament championship, winning the title in 2004, 2008 and 2015. In 24 appearances in this event, Wisconsin is 26-21 overall and 15-9 in opening round games.

Expect a close game as Wisconsin has played in 18 games this season decided by five or fewer points (11-7 record), and a school-record six overtime games (3-3 record). UW's 18 "close games" is the most by any major conference team since at least the 2009-10 season. Coach Greg Gard's team is 17-8, including 9-6 in the Big Ten, with its full strength starting lineup and 0-5 when missing at least one starter. All five starters should play Wednesday.

Ohio State (13-18, 5-15) is one of the most disappointing teams in the country and this will be the Buckeyes' season finale if they lose. Could it also be the finale for Coach Chris Holtmann? His seat is generally considered a bit warm. The next time OSU plays after Wednesday could be with LeBron James' son Bronny on the squad next fall as the Buckeyes are one of the finalists to sign him. LeBron said he would have gone to Ohio State if he was forced to go to college for one year before entry to the NBA.

Wisconsin won at Ohio State 65-60 in the lone meeting between the schools this season on Feb. 2. Freshman Connor Essegian led the way with 17 points. He was named to the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team. His 64 made three-pointers are a school record for a freshman. OSU's Zed Key had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Buckeyes but since was lost for the season injured. 

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