The first half of the college basketball season is winding down, and teams are feeling the pressure to finish strong before winter break. Some squads are looking to carry momentum into conference play, while others need a win to regain confidence. Monday night features a matchup that highlights both scenarios as the Wisconsin Badgers take on the Central Michigan Chippewas. Both teams have struggled recently, and with losing streaks weighing on them, this game could be the turning point. Who will step up, shake off early-season woes, and secure a crucial win before the holiday break?
Central Michigan vs. Wisconsin: Odds & Insights | December 22, 2025
Written by: Colby Marchio
Published: Sun Dec 21, 2025, 5:36 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Last 7 Days: 3-9 (-8.2 Units)
Last 30 Days: 42-30 (+11.08 Units)
Awful week. Fading may be the move.
Central Michigan vs. Wisconsin Odds
Do the Chippewas stand a chance in Madison?
You can find all of these great College Basketball odds on Lucky Rebel. Get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 Slot Spins when you sign up!
Spread
Central Michigan: +29.5 (-110)
Wisconsin: -29.5 (-110)
Total
Over: 153.5 (-115)
Under: 153.5 (-105)
Moneyline
Central Michigan: N/A
Wisconsin: N/A
Central Michigan vs. Wisconsin Best Bet
With Christmas break on the horizon, the first half of the season is coming to an end. Some teams are looking to keep momentum rolling into conference play, while others are trying to build momentum before their conference schedule begins. The Wisconsin Badgers and Central Michigan Chippewas are two teams desperate for a win before conference play starts. With both teams riding losing streaks, who will turn it around and secure a victory on Monday night?
New System Play
After suffering yet another loss, the Wisconsin Badgers look to bounce back Monday evening against a Central Michigan team that has faced a multitude of losses as well. With winter break approaching, the Badgers should be focused on getting right before both the break and their conference schedule begins.
My new favorite system play is backing a team that is coming off a tough loss or a questionable win when a player or coach makes strong statements in the postgame press conference. After Wisconsin's loss to Villanova on Friday, Badgers forward Nolan Winter stated, "To go out there and not show the effort that the state of Wisconsin deserves, the program deserves… it sucks." Could this loss be the spark the Badgers need to ignite a fire under their team? I am willing to dabble in believing it is.
Bounce Back Badgers
The Badgers have endured the 71st toughest schedule in the country to start the first half of the season. After losses to Nebraska and Villanova, Wisconsin now has the advantage of facing the weakest opponent they have played since Ball State, who they defeated 86 to 55 on November 11.
Meanwhile, Central Michigan has faced the 70th easiest schedule in the country. The Chippewas should be the perfect team for Wisconsin to get right against. Bart Torvik has Central Michigan ranked 323rd, and their page is covered in red. The Chippewas rank in the bottom 50 in eFG% defense, defensive rebounding, free throw offense, and free throw defense. In their two games against top 100 opponents, their numbers were even worse, dropping to the 20th worst defense in the country and 299th in offense. In those two games, they lost by an average of 36 points.
At home this season, the Badgers have maintained the sixth best offense in the country. They have excelled at protecting the basketball, scoring on second-chance opportunities, attacking the glass, and converting free throws at a high rate. Defensively, they remain around the top 100.
Following this matchup, Wisconsin hosts Milwaukee on December 30. There should be no reason this team is looking ahead. Their focus must be singular: get it done Monday night and enjoy Christmas break.
Best Bet: Wisconsin -29.5 (-110) on Lucky Rebel
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Former D1 (club) baseball player, Colby has been betting since his college days at DePaul, where he had to endure the worst collegiate basketball the Big East has ever seen. He is an advanced analytics nerd and has never seen an underdog he has not liked. Hot. Corn. Bull. It does not matter the dog he loves them all.
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