Wisconsin will welcome No. 19 Indiana into the Kohl Center on Tuesday night, hoping to come out with another resume-boosting win for a program with dangerously low tournament chances.
The Hoosiers (17-3, 7-0 Big Ten) are on a 12-game winning streak since they went down at Duke in early December. This spectacular run includes a perfect 7-0 start to Big Ten play and a nail-biting, 59-58 win at home against Wisconsin (11-9, 3-4 Big Ten) on Jan. 5. While Indiana has yet to play the better teams in the Big Ten like Iowa and Maryland, a 7-0 start in any Power Five conference is a very impressive feat.
The Hoosiers have relied mainly on their high-powered and efficient offense. Senior guard Yogi Ferrell has been the leader for Tom Crean's squad, as he posts 17.1 points per game and dishes out 6.1 assists a night. Indiana has also done a great job of getting solid production from some of its younger players, as freshman center Thomas Bryant has also proven to be a reliable member of the starting rotation, averaging 11.7 points per game and an 72.2 astounding field goal percentage. Junior forward Troy Williams is also someone worth mentioning, as his excellent physicality is something that will test Wisconsin all night.
Indiana's second-leading scorer, James Blackmon Jr., had season-ending knee surgery on Jan. 5.
X-Factors for Wisconsin
1. Feed Ethan Happ
Although I have a well-documented appreciation for Ethan Happ's basketball potential, I cannot stress enough how important it is for Wisconsin to utilize him as much as possible. With teams suffocating Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes, Happ has provided a much-needed third presence for the Badgers on offense. He has averaged 12 points a night and 8.6 boards, and his physicality has allowed him to muscle for some offensive rebounds, rare for a Wisconsin basketball team that stresses getting back quickly on defense to limit easy transition buckets. Happ will probably be matched up with either Williams or Max Bielfeldt. If the Badgers can get the ball to him on the interior, look for Happ to continue his strong play and post yet another double-double.
2. Play extremely tight on Ferrell
Ferrell is an amazing basketball player. He has been one of the very best players in the Big Ten this year, and some consider him one of the most clutch players in the country. I am one of those. He has a deadly three-pointer, even from many feet behind the painted line, and it is imperative that Koenig and co., limit the amount of times he is able to hoist it up from deep.
Prediction
I went back and forth on this one. Both teams are riding winning streaks, both getting solid production from both their veteran leaders and young stars. Indiana missing Blackmon would be huge if the Hoosiers hadn't already been without him when they beat the Badgers last time out.
I just have a good feeling about this one. The Badgers fought tooth and nail last time and came within one point of shocking the Hoosiers in daunting Assembly Hall. It's at the Kohl Center this time. The Badgers absolutely need this win. I think they pull through.
Wisconsin 67, Indiana 65
Game Info
When: Tuesday, 6 p.m. CT
Where: Kohl Center, Madison, Wis.
TV: ESPN (Bob Wischusen, Dan Dakich, Allison Williams)
Live stream: WatchESPN
Mobile: WatchESPN app on iOS and Android
Radio: Badger Radio Network (Matt Lepay, Mike Lucas)
Odds: Indiana -2
Last meeting: Indiana won 59-58 in Bloomington on Jan. 5
All-time series: Indiana leads 95-69
In Madison: Series tied 40-40
Active streak: Indiana has won one straight