Wisconsin vs. Rutgers: how to watch, game preview and open thread

The Wisconsin Badgers (16-10 overall, 9-6 B1G) are back in action for a lunch time tip with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (18-9 overall, 9-7 B1G) at the Kohl Center. UW will be looking for their fourth straight win while Rutgers is coming off of their first home loss of the season, a 60-52 decision against Michigan, on Wednesday.

You’ll find our new more stats-based preview of Rutgers linked below as well as the triumphant return of the critically acclaimed Why Your Mascot Sucks series.

Rutgers is a bad shooting team, which turns the ball over sometimes but excels at getting second chance opportunities due to tireless offensive rebounding. The Badgers are an ok shooting team, that rarely turns the ball over and prefers to get back on defense as opposed to crashing the glass.

Both teams have deterrents near the rim with Myles Johnson and Nate Reuvers each being ranked in the top-55 nationally in block percentage (Reuvers is ahead of Johnson, no big deal). Where Rutgers really shines though is the fact that they have three other players (they’d have one more if Shaq Carter played enough minutes to qualify) in the top-500 nationally in block percentage, meaning it isn’t just one tall guy standing by the basket. They’ve got shot blockers everywhere on the court.

The Badgers will have ample chances to shoot from deep, because Rutgers allows plenty of three point attempts and if Wisconsin is shooting the three ball well, which is likely since the game is at home, the Badgers should come out on top. UW should also be more equipped to battle Rutgers down low with the addition of Micah Potter to the lineup since the first game.

How to watch/listen

TV: BTN, noon, CT, Chris Vosters, Shon Morris

Streaming: FOX Sports GO

Radio/Satellite: 1310 AM, Sirius/XM 372; Matt Lepay, Mike Lucas

Live stats: Here!

Arena: Kohl Center, Madison, Wisconsin

Line: Wisconsin -4.5

KenPom Wisconsin win percentage: 64%

Fun facts (according to the media guides)

• Despite a road loss at RU earlier this season, the Badgers are 7-3 all-time against the Scarlet Knights.
• UW is 4-0 vs. RU at the Kohl Center.
• The Scarlet Knights are averaging just 54 ppg in four visits to the Kohl Center, having scored 60 points just once (64 in 2018).
• Over the last 10 seasons, the Badgers are 50-20 (.714) in the month of February. That includes this season’s 4-1 record this month.
• Wisconsin is 12-1 at the Kohl Center this season, looking for its best home record since going 15-1 in the 2014-15 season.
• Since 2001-02, the Badgers have posted eight seasons with one or fewer home losses.
• Wisconsin suffered a 72-65 loss at Rutgers in December in the team’s first Big Ten road game of the season.

• The Badgers turned the ball over 14 times and were out-rebounded, 40-to-26, including a 14-to-3 disadvantage on the offensive glass.
• UW out-shot Rutgers, 47.9% for 46.0%, but the Scarlet Knights scored 42 points in the paint and owned a 23-5 edge in second-chance points.
• Kobe King was the Badgers leading scorer against Rutgers the first time around. I doubt that will be repeated in this game.
• In Madison, the Scarlet Knights have an opportunity to earn their most conference wins in league play (10) since 1990-91 (14-4; A-10).
• RU has ensured its first winning season since 2005-06 (19-14).
• Rutgers is 12th nationally in FG% defense (38.1),12th in rebounding (40.37), 15th in scoring defense (61.6), 22nd in rebound margin (+6.4), 30th in blocks (4.7) and 47th in scoring margin (8.2).
• Rutgers is undefeated when scoring 15 or more fast break points (9-0).

Probable starters

Wisconsin

• D’Mitrik Trice, redshirt junior, guard, No. 0
• Aleem Ford, redshirt junior, forward, No. 2

• Micah Potter, redshirt junior, forward, No. 11
• Brad Davison, junior, guard, No. 34
• Nate Reuvers, junior, forward, No. 35

Rutgers

• Geo Baker, junior, guard, No. 0
• Akwasi Yeboah, senior, forward, No. 1
• Myles Johnson, sophomore, center, No. 15
• Caleb McConnell, sophomore, guard, No. 22
• Ron Harper Jr., sophomore, guard/forward, No. 24

Update with starting lineups: