Go Iowa Awesome – Preview: No. 7 Iowa WBB vs. Wisconsin

WHO: Wisconsin Badgers (8-18 general, 3-11 Massive Ten)

WHEN: Wednesday, February fifteenth, 6:31pm

WHERE: Carver-Hawkeye Area (Iowa Metropolis, Iowa)

TV: None

ONLINE: Massive Ten Plus

RADIO: Hawkeye Radio Community | Sirius/XM 109 or 196

The highest of the Massive Ten is best than it has been in a very long time. Indiana is a favourite to succeed in the Remaining 4. Iowa and Maryland each have an opportunity in the event that they play properly and get the correct matchups. Michigan and Ohio State have an excellent shot of creating the Candy Sixteen, and may very well be darkish horses to go additional, significantly if the Buckeyes ever get wholesome.

However the backside 5 groups within the convention simply aren’t aggressive within the majority of their video games. Iowa noticed that firsthand just lately in its blowout of Rutgers. It should doubtless see the identical factor Wednesday evening towards Wisconsin.

In 2020-2021, Wisconsin went 5-19 general and 2-18 in convention. The Badgers had been dangerous sufficient that they moved on from coach Jonathan Tsipis and introduced in Marisa Mosley to interchange him. Wisconsin wasn’t good in 2021-2022 — ending 8-21 general and 5-13 in convention — nevertheless it was higher than the prior yr. If Wisconsin took one other step ahead this yr, this system may acquire some actual momentum.

Sadly for Badger followers, this yr hasn’t been a step ahead. The Badgers sit 8-18 general and 3-11 within the Massive Ten. With no couple wins to shut the season, they’ll really end worse within the Massive Ten this yr in comparison with final.

Shauna Inexperienced’s turnaround of Illinois in a single season additionally makes Mosley’s place at Wisconsin tougher. Till just lately, coaches have often gotten 4-5 years to point out substantial enchancment inside a program. With the switch portal and Inexperienced’s latest instance, it’s extra frequent to begin questioning coaches a lot sooner when their groups aren’t progressing.

Mosley isn’t on the recent seat but. Wisconsin has been dangerous for many of the final 20 years, and Mosley’s outcomes to date are principally the identical as what Tsipis did earlier than her. However it’s truthful to begin desirous to see indicators that Mosley can lead a turnaround, or if her ceiling at Wisconsin continues to be the underside half of the convention.

Like Rutgers, there’s not a whole lot of good right here. Wisconsin’s offense ranks 138th in factors per 100 possessions, and its protection ranks a dreadful 344th in opponent’s factors per 100 possessions. The Badgers don’t shoot significantly properly from wherever, and battle considerably with turnovers. The Badgers additionally don’t rebound properly, rating within the 200s in each offensive and defensive rebounding fee. Their solely actual offensive shiny spot is assists per sport, the place they rank thirty ninth.

Iowa and Wisconsin have already performed as soon as this season, means again on December 4th in Madison. Iowa cruised to a 102-71 victory in that sport, and Caitlin Clark recorded a triple-double. Hopefully Clark and the remainder of Iowa’s starters gained’t have to play so many minutes this time round.

Like Rutgers, Wisconsin is led by a freshman. 6’4’ submit Serah Williams is averaging 13.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 1.7 bpg whereas capturing a strong 56.2% from 2. Williams suffered a leg damage within the third quarter of the Minnesota sport on Wednesday, nevertheless, so it’s attainable she gained’t even play on this one.

5 years in the past, Williams would’ve been seen as an excellent constructing block for Wisconsin’s program. Now Badger followers should fear that Williams may enter the switch portal if she doesn’t see indicators that Wisconsin might be aggressive within the subsequent couple years.

Senior guard Julie Pospisilova additionally averages 13.2 ppg, together with 5.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, and 1.7 spg. She shoots simply 43.3% from two and 29.5% from three, although, and makes an attempt 5 three-pointers per sport.

Wisconsin’s different three starters all common in double-figures, and all shoot an honest quantity of threes. If the Badgers are sizzling from three early within the sport, they may be capable to hold issues aggressive for some time. If not, this sport may simply be over by the second quarter like Iowa’s win over Rutgers.

Don’t look forward. Iowa ends the yr at Nebraska, at #8 Maryland, and vs. #2 Indiana. The Hawks may simply lose all or any of these video games. Given Wisconsin’s struggles this season, it will be simple to look forward to larger video games. Iowa must maintain enterprise on this one first.