MSU vs. Wisconsin Basketball: Time, TV, Odds & Prediction – Feb 16, 2026

Spartans and Badgers Clash in Key Big Ten Matchup

MADISON, Wisconsin – The No. 10 Michigan State Spartans (20-4, 10-3 Big Ten) travel to Kohl Center on Friday night to face the Wisconsin Badgers (17-7, 9-4 Big Ten) in a crucial Big Ten contest. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on FOX.

Both teams are coming off recent victories, with Wisconsin securing a win at Illinois and Michigan State overcoming the same opponent in overtime. The Spartans currently hold a slight edge in the betting market, favored by 1.5 points.

Michigan State boasts the nation’s fourth-ranked defense, according to Kenpom’s efficiency rankings, and leads the country in rebounding. Point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. Leads the nation in assists, averaging 9.1 per game.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, relies heavily on its three-point shooting, attempting a higher percentage of shots from beyond the arc than most teams in the conference. They have six players who have made 25 or more three-pointers this season, including Nolan Winter (7-0) and Austin Rapp (6-10).

The Badgers are efficient from the free-throw line, shooting over 80% in Big Ten play, and prioritize limiting turnovers. Guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell lead the Badgers’ offensive attack. Blackwell, a Bloomfield Hills native, is considered a future professional prospect.

The series between the two programs is long-standing, with Michigan State leading 86-69 all-time. Last season, the teams split their matchups, with the Spartans winning at home and Wisconsin prevailing in the Big Ten tournament.

Team Lineups:

Michigan State

• C (15) Carson Cooper (6-11) 10.0 ppg
• PF (0) Jaxon Kohler (6-9) 12.8 ppg
• SF (55) Coen Carr (6-5) 11.4 ppg
• SG (6) Jordan Scott (6-7) 5.4 ppg
• PG (1) Jeremy Fears Jr. (6-2) 15.1 ppg

Wisconsin

• C (31) Nolan Winter (7-0) 13.9 ppg
• PF (32) Aleksas Bieliauskas (6-10) 4.5 ppg
• SF (7) Andrew Rohde (6-6) 6.4 ppg
• SG (25) John Blackwell (6-4) 18.7 ppg
• PG (2) Nick Boyd (6-3) 20.2 ppg

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is in his 31st season with the Spartans, holding a career record of 757-306. Wisconsin’s Greg Gard is in his 11th season with the Badgers, with a record of 230-124.

The implied score based on the spread and over/under is Spartans 76, Badgers 73. Michigan State has a 58.5% chance to win the game, according to the moneyline’s implied probability.

The game’s over/under is set at 148.5 points.