BadgerBlitz – Preview: Badgers travel to Ann Arbor for crucial contest with Wolverines

Wisconsin (16-11) vs. Michigan (16-12)

Sport: Saturday, Feb. 26 contained in the Crisler Middle

Time: 1:00 P.M. CT

Watch: CBS

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

Prediction: Michigan 66, Wisconsin 63

Comply with On-line: The Badgers’ Den

Twitter: @Badger_Blitz

Betting Line: Michigan -5

After incomes its first double-digit win since December, Wisconsin is ready to rematch with Michigan in what’s certain to be a hostile street atmosphere. The Badgers devoted on the Kohl Middle had been particularly raucous when Hunter Dickinson, Juwan Howard and Michigan performed there earlier this month on Valentine’s Day. The house crowd in Ann Arbor appears primed to return the favor.

The trail for Wisconsin has turn into very clear as March attracts shut. The Badgers will seemingly want to interrupt even within the Large Ten, or go on an unbelievable Large Ten Event run, with the intention to hear their identify known as on Choice Sunday. Wisconsin is just below .500 within the convention at 8-9, and three common season video games stay. One is towards No.4 Purdue.

That mentioned, this recreation towards Michigan turns into one of the crucial vital of the season. In an effort to sweep the Wolverines, Wisconsin should replicate the tenacity that enabled them to down Michigan only a couple weeks prior.

One of many greatest components within the Badgers’ five-point victory was their work on the offensive glass. They grabbed 15 offensive rebounds to Michigan’s eight, which was essential not solely to create second likelihood alternatives however to ignite the house crowd. Regardless of a troublesome day capturing the ball, Tyler Wahl led the Badgers in that division, coming down with 5 offensive boards.

Connor Essegian had a career-high 23 factors within the first recreation, which was lots encouraging on the time. However maybe extra encouraging than the purpose complete was the best way during which he scored. Essegian did not depend on his regular catch-and-shoot three pointer — he was 2-of-7 from deep. As an alternative, he discovered different methods to attain, shifting nicely off the ball and slicing into open lanes to create alternatives for himself.

Wisconsin has been adept not too long ago at limiting opponents’ star energy, and so they’ll must stick with it Sunday. Dickinson, who averages 17.4 factors, was held to 12 within the first assembly. Jett Howard, a rangy, athletic sniper with a 6-foot-8′ construct, was held to 9 factors and 1-of-6 from three level land.

A lot of the eye will as soon as once more be centered on Dickinson’s matchup with Steven Crowl within the put up, and rightfully so. It is laborious to say who “gained” the matchup the primary time round. Their level and rebounding totals had been nearly equivalent, and whereas Dickinson shot with higher effectivity, Crowl was the superior facilitator shelling out six assists. Finally, although, Wisconsin was in a position to include the dynamic heart and restrict his total influence on the sport.

Michigan has too many gifted scorers to carry all of them down, however Wisconsin was content material with subpar days from Dickinson and Howard whereas capturing guard Kobe Bufkin dropped 21 factors. Exterior of Essegian, the Badgers shot poorly total within the first recreation; 33.3 p.c from each the sector and downtown.

One other vital consider these groups’ first dance was Wisconsin’s capacity to hit free throws, and space they’ve struggled in to say the least. The Badgers hit 14-of-18 photographs from the charity stripe, together with a clutch 9-of-10 from Essegian. It will be powerful to duplicate that sort of efficiency on the street in Ann Arbor, however they will must — flattening foul photographs was key to burying Michigan down the stretch.

Regulate Chucky Hepburn. The purpose guard has simply 20 factors over the past three video games, throughout which he is shot 28 p.c. The mini-slump is not essentially a trigger for alarm, as he had the same three recreation stretch the bled into the Battle 4 Atlantis, after which he bounced again with 4 straight video games in double figures. Towards Michigan the primary time round, Hepburn shot a dismal 1-of-9 from the sector. He is primed for a bounce-back efficiency.

The Wolverines are nonetheless a great defensive workforce, largely due to their tendency to create turnovers and block photographs. Their block share, steal share and non-steal turnover share are all within the higher echelon nationally, per KenPom. Within the first assembly, Wisconsin received blocked 5 occasions however did nicely to guard the ball, solely coughing up 5 turnovers.

The magnitude of this recreation for Wisconsin, with Purdue lurking across the nook, is tough to overstate. The identical goes for Michigan, with each groups clawing to enhance their resumes. In entrance of what must be an unforgiving crowd, the Badgers will look to brush a rival and earn one other Quad 1 win.