The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Wisconsin Badgers meet Thursday in college basketball action from Kohl Center. Jacksonville State comes into this one at 4-6 overall after losing consecutive games, most recently to UIC. As for Wisconsin, they’re 7-3 on the season following a loss to Arizona on Saturday. Let’s get into our Jacksonville State vs. Wisconsin prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Jacksonville State Gamecocks 

The Gamecocks won their first outing over Brescia, then fell in consecutive games to Utah Tech, West Virginia, North Alabama and Incarnate Word. A three-game win streak followed versus UTSA, Incarnate Word and South Alabama before another loss versus East Tennessee State. 

In their latest matchup versus UIC back on Friday, the Gamecocks scored just 19 points in the first half. Jacksonville State didn’t end up getting any closer in the second and fell 55-49 for a tough result. Leading scorer Andres Burney came off the bench to post 12 points with one rebound and two blocks. 

More College Basketball Picks: The Citadel vs College of Charleston Prediction!

Wisconsin Badgers 

Over on the Badgers’ side, they lost two of their first three games this year, falling to Tennessee and Providence. A six-game win streak came afterward, featuring wins over Robert Morris, Virginia, SMU, Western Illinois, Marquette and Michigan State. In the 70-57 win over the Spartans, Wisconsin shot a solid 43.5 percent from 3-point range with 36 rebounds. 

Matched up against Arizona in their latest game, the Badgers fell back into the loss column. Wisconsin trailed 48-31 going into the second half and gave up another 50 points from there in a 98-73 result. John Blackwell was tops on the team in scoring with 17 points and seven rebounds to his credit. 

ANDREW’S FREE JACKSONVILLE STATE VS WISCONSIN PREDICTION 

I’ll stick with Wisconsin here. The Badgers were highly permissive on defense (understandably) versus a very good Arizona team in their last outing, giving up 58.3 percent shooting and 46.2 percent (12-of-26) from 3-point range. The Wildcats didn’t have much trouble moving the ball either, with 39 rebounds and 26 team assists. Needless to say, Wisconsin will match up much better in this one and should be able to stretch their legs. The Badgers have hit 70 or more points in four straight games and shouldn’t have any issues posting a big total on Thursday. Jacksonville State will have issues scoring against the Wisconsin defense and I don’t see the Gamecocks getting close.