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Game Preview Wisconsin vs Campbell
The 2025-26 season begins in Madison as Wisconsin hosts Campbell in its regular-season opener. The Badgers, ranked No. 24 in the preseason AP Top 25, aim to build on last year’s 27-10 record and second-round NCAA Tournament appearance, but early exhibition results show this team still has work to do.
Wisconsin fell 85-84 to Oklahoma in an exhibition that exposed defensive gaps and shooting inconsistency. With nine newcomers joining the roster, head coach Greg Gard faces the challenge of blending experience with a new core before Big Ten play begins.
Campbell arrives in Madison led by first-year head coach John Andrzejek, formerly an assistant at national champion Florida. The Fighting Camels are in transition after a 15-17 campaign but bring intriguing transfers and veteran guards capable of challenging Wisconsin’s perimeter defense.
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Line Movement and Odds
Wisconsin opened as a 22.5-point favorite with the total set around 146. Early bettors have leaned toward the under, citing Wisconsin’s pace-controlled offense and evolving defensive chemistry. Campbell’s lack of size and depth against Big Ten competition is reflected in the wide spread, though public sentiment could narrow it closer to tipoff.
For those evaluating early-season market shifts, guides such as what does the spread mean in betting and alternate total points offer frameworks for interpreting movement and volatility.
Wisconsin Outlook
Greg Gard’s Badgers enter with continuity from core contributors John Blackwell (15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds) and Nolan Winter (9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds), both of whom started all 37 games last season. Redshirt sophomore Jack Janicki also returns as a rotation regular.
Wisconsin’s offseason focus was adding shot creation and depth. Senior Nick Boyd, a transfer from San Diego State and former FAU starter, brings perimeter scoring (13.4 ppg) and leadership. Fellow senior Andrew Rohde returns to his home state after time at Virginia and St. Thomas, where he averaged 17.1 points as a freshman.
The frontcourt adds 6-foot-9 sophomore Austin Rapp (13.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg at Portland) and 6-foot-10 freshman Aleksas Bieliauskas, who hit two threes in the exhibition loss. Collectively, the Badgers project to maintain their traditional efficiency and low turnover rate but need sharper defensive rotations to contend in the Big Ten.
For bettors tracking system-based angles, Wisconsin’s efficiency profile often aligns with the trends discussed in sports betting strategies to win big in 2024.
Wisconsin Injury Report
No major injuries have been reported. Greg Gard is expected to use a 9-10 player rotation early, with Rapp and Bieliauskas receiving meaningful minutes.
Campbell Outlook
Campbell begins a new era under coach John Andrzejek, inheriting a young squad that returns just four players. Senior guard Cam Gregory (7.8 points per game) anchors the lineup, joined by graduate guard Tasos Cook and new transfer DJ Smith, who averaged 9.1 points at Robert Morris.
Andrzejek added international forward Dovydas Butka (9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds at Pepperdine) and sophomore guard Jeremiah Johnson (10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds at Green Bay), giving the Camels more scoring versatility than last season.
Campbell’s offense revolves around spacing and motion, designed to generate open looks for shooters and minimize isolation play. However, facing Wisconsin’s physicality will test that system immediately. Andrzejek emphasized that early-season performance matters more than results, aiming for steady progress through nonconference play.
This type of developmental approach fits the underdog framework highlighted in handicap in betting, where smaller programs can offer ATS value through consistent effort despite talent gaps.
Campbell Injury Report
No injuries have been reported. Expect an eight-man rotation featuring Butka and Smith in key offensive roles.
Key Matchup / Path to Victory
The matchup centers on Wisconsin’s interior presence against Campbell’s perimeter spacing. The Badgers must improve ball-screen coverage and rim protection after allowing Oklahoma to shoot 55 percent from deep in the exhibition.
Campbell’s route to competitiveness lies in limiting turnovers and hitting from beyond the arc. Butka’s shooting and Smith’s pace can help neutralize Wisconsin’s size advantage if the Camels can control tempo. Wisconsin, on the other hand, must dominate the glass and push transition scoring opportunities to offset its still-developing half-court rhythm.
Concepts from what is a unit in betting apply here: bettors may find more value sizing exposure through totals or first-half markets rather than full-game spreads when evaluating early-season power mismatches.
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Betting Trends
- Wisconsin is 8-2 SU in its last 10 season openers.
- The Badgers are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games as home favorites.
- The under has hit in five of Wisconsin’s last seven home openers.
- Campbell is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 road openers.
- Wisconsin is 7-3 ATS against mid-major opponents since 2022.
Check real-time market data and odds updates through the NCAAB odds page before placing early-season wagers.
Prediction
Wisconsin’s talent advantage, rebounding edge, and home-court experience should translate into a strong start. Expect Campbell to compete early but struggle to handle Wisconsin’s physical defense and half-court execution.
Projected score: Wisconsin 82, Campbell 59
Best spread pick: Wisconsin −22.5
Total lean: Under 146
Handicapper Recap
Wisconsin profiles as a stable home favorite capable of covering large spreads once its defense stabilizes. Campbell’s new system and personnel turnover make it difficult to project consistent scoring output, particularly against ranked competition.
For comprehensive betting resources, visit the college basketball picks page and explore strategy insights in sports betting for beginners, props guide, and futures betting pros and cons.
