Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/22/26

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/22/26

IOWA @ WISCONSIN (WIS -2.5, 146.5)

CBB ODDS, CBB PREDICTIONS, CBB PREVIEWS

COACH RICK CBB PREVIEWS

HAWKEYES @ BADGERS 2/22/26

The Big Ten battle at the Kohl Center today between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the #24 Wisconsin Badgers is a high-stakes matchup with significant NCAA Tournament seeding implications. Wisconsin is looking to protect its home court after a disappointing 17-point loss to Ohio State, while Iowa enters with momentum following a signature win over #9 Nebraska.

Wisconsin is a 2.5-point favorite at home. The Kohl Center has been a fortress for Greg Gard’s squad. They are 13-2 at home this season and 28-4 over the last two years. While they stumbled recently against Ohio State, their body of work in Madison includes statement wins over Michigan State and top-tier efficiency.

Wisconsin’s offense is elite at home, averaging over 87 points per game at the Kohl Center. They rank 21st nationally in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency (123.2) according to KenPom. A major mismatch exists in the turnover department: Wisconsin ranks 8th in the country in offensive turnover rate (14.3%), meaning they rarely give away possessions. Conversely, Iowa’s defense relies heavily on forcing turnovers (ranked 6th in TO rate) to compensate for a struggling interior defense that ranks 16th in the Big Ten in 2PT% defense. If Wisconsin maintains its usual ball security, Iowa will struggle to find the transition points they thrive on.

The Badgers have dominated this head-to-head series recently, winning 6 of the last 7 meetings. This includes a double-digit victory just over a year ago where they covered as 5.5-point favorites. John Blackwell (18.8 PPG) and Nick Boyd (20.3 PPG) are high-octane guards who excel at getting downhill. Iowa has allowed at least 74 points in 5 of their 7 conference road games, suggesting their defensive discipline wavers away from Iowa City.

The statistical profiles of both teams suggest a higher-scoring affair instead the "rock fight" Iowa just endured against Nebraska. While Iowa has slowed their pace under Ben McCollum (Adj. Tempo 64.2, ranked 337th), their efficiency remains high, and Wisconsin’s home splits are too explosive to ignore.

Wisconsin averages 83.1 points per game and shoots a high volume of three-pointers at home (50.9% 3PT Rate, ranked 11th nationally). Iowa, despite their slower pace, has seen the Over cash in 5 of their last 7 games. Interestingly, Iowa actually shoots better from both two-point and three-point range on the road in conference play than they do at home. With Iowa shooting efficiently and Wisconsin pushing for 90+ points in Madison, this total could be in jeopardy.

The Over has cashed in 5 of the last 7 meetings between these two programs. Wisconsin’s defense has been inconsistent, ranking just 56th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (102.6) and allowing 76 points per game. Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz is on a legendary scoring tear, averaging 20.5 PPG and shooting 50.7% from the field. He will face a Wisconsin defense that ranks 165th in opponent effective field goal percentage, providing plenty of opportunities for a high-scoring output.

Iowa is currently ranked higher than Wisconsin in KenPom (#25 vs #33) and enters this game with the confidence of having just knocked off a top-10 Nebraska team. Iowa’s defense has reached unprecedented levels under McCollum, ranking 32nd in defensive efficiency—a mark they never achieved in 15 years under their previous coach. They allow only 64.4 points per game. If Iowa can successfully dictate a slower tempo and force Wisconsin into a half-court grind, their superior shooting efficiency (49% FG, among the best in the Big Ten) gives them a legitimate path to an outright upset.

Stirtz is the X-factor. He has scored 22, 36, 32, 19, and 25 points in his last five games. Wisconsin’s defense struggles to force turnovers (ranked 308th in opponent turnover percentage), which should allow Stirtz and the Iowa offense to execute their sets cleanly. If Iowa wins the possession battle by utilizing their 14th-ranked opponent turnover percentage to disrupt Wisconsin's guards, they can make this one interesting.

Get free CBB Picks and CBB Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2026 CBB schedule from the YLose.com  crew, one of the industry's largest networks of premier expert CBB handicappers. YLose.com has been bringing the CBB betting community the best CBB free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best CBB moneyline and point spread odds and game totals.

FREE PICK: OVER 146.5

Iowa has the ability to slow a game down, but the Badgers like to play faster and playing at home gives them the advantage. Wisconsin averages 83.1 points per game, but that number jumps to 87 when playing at home. The Badgers rank 21st in the nation in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and they shoot a high volume of three-pointers (11th nationally in 3PT Rate). Iowa actually shoots better on the road and 5 of their last 7 games have gone Over the total. Wisconsin trends Over as well with 2 of their last 3 going Over and 15 of 26 games for the season. Iowa’s defense has allowed 74 or more points in 5 of their 7 conference road games this season.

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