BadgerBlitz – Preview: Badgers seek revenge in rematch against Northwestern

Wisconsin (13-8) vs. Northwestern (15-7)

Recreation: Sunday, Feb. 5 contained in the Kohl Heart

Time: 5:30 P.M CT

Watch: BTN

Pay attention: 1310 WIBA AM and 101.5 FM (Matt Lepay and Mike Lucas on the decision); stream on-line on iHeartRadio

Prediction: Wisconsin 61, Northwestern 58

Observe On-line: The Badgers’ Den

Twitter: @Badger_Blitz

The Badgers picked up an enormous win in opposition to Ohio State on the street Thursday, stopping their skid and getting them again to only one sport beneath .500 in Huge Ten play.

It was a sport Wisconsin primarily needed to win. A four-game loosing streak in convention play would’ve nearly doomed this group’s event possibilities. They’re nonetheless on extremely skinny ice in terms of the postseason, however breaking even within the Huge Ten could be sufficient to punch a ticket to the NCAA event. Thus, each sport remaining is of huge magnitude.

Wisconsin’s subsequent probability to enhance their resume will come Sunday when the Wildcats roll into city. Northwestern already beat the Badgers again on January twenty third in a thriller in Evanston. Coming off additional relaxation because of the sport initially being rescheduled, Wisconsin got here out flat within the first half and could not put it away regardless of outscoring the Wildcats within the second half.

It was a winnable sport for the Badgers, one they’re going to assuredly look again on with remorse. Wisconsin had all types of issues in Welsh-Ryan area. They missed 9 of their last ten pictures and went ice chilly down the stretch (sound acquainted?). They solely shot 10-of-31 from downtown.

Northwestern’s protection was swarming, setting the tone bodily and protecting Wisconsin from operating what they needed to run offensively. They pressured Chucky Hepburn and Tyler Wahl into extremely inefficient performances, which doomed the Badgers. Hepburn shot 4-of-16 from the sector and 3-of-9 from downtown. Wahl scored 11 factors — on 10 pictures.

Within the sequel, Wisconsin merely should play higher on offense. They should play at their very own tempo and never let the Wildcats’ stingy protection get them off-kilter. Greg Gard could must get inventive — Northwestern was all around the Badgers typical screening and pick-and-roll motion. They’re significantly adept at switching off the ball, which is an enormous cause why Wisconsin was struggling to seek out the open man within the first assembly.

Steven Crowl have to be a much bigger issue offensively than he was the primary time round. He scored eight factors on 3-of-7 from the ground, the one starter to not attain double figures. Wisconsin’s offense is at its greatest once they can feed Crowl inside and let him go to work. The Wildcats are too good on the perimeter defensively for the Badgers to depend on exterior capturing Sunday.

The Huge Ten is riddled with technically sound groups, and Northwestern isn’t any outlier. They handle the ball however additionally they take it away: their steal share (7.2) is sixth-best within the nation, in accordance with KenPom.

As soon as once more, Boo Buie and Chase Audige would be the major gamers Wisconsin must shut down. Within the first assembly, these two mixed to drop 36 factors on the Badgers. The senior guards are the center of this upstart Northwestern group, and each can rating in quite a lot of methods. They every wish to let it fly from deep, averaging about six three-point makes an attempt per sport. Neither has been essentially the most environment friendly shooter, however they get it executed with their array of offensive instruments. In addition they every contribute in different methods — Audige has racked up a formidable 58 steals, whereas Buie has dished out 99 assists on the season.

Wisconsin has already danced with the Wildcats as soon as this season, and so they got here up brief in crunch time. They’re going to must fare higher Sunday on the Kohl Heart to maintain their season afloat.