Game Day Essentials: Game #25 at Wisconsin

Wisconsin Info

Head Coach: Greg Gard
Location: Madison, WI
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Badgers

Mascot: Bucky Badger
Last time out: Lost to Michigan St
Typical Rotation Depth: 6+
Line: Wisconsin by 4

Tempo: SLOW

Defense: Man

Style: Low assist % / Low 3pa%

Wisconsin protects the defensive glass, doesn't foul a ton, and doesn't turn the ball over a ton. They also are shooting well inside the arc. Like Nebraska they're good at taking away 3pt shots but like last year's Nebraska's team a lot of those takes go in. You can keep them off the offensive boards.

Most Frequent Lineups over the last 5 games

Nebraska

Wisconsin

This is pretty much the same lineup for Wisconsin but since our last meeting with the Buckeyes the LINEUP OF DEATH has become the standard.

Players to watch: Ethan Happ

It's all about Jr Center Ethan Happ who leads the team in points, rebounds, offensive rebounds, assists, and missed FTs. Happ dominates the shots and touches in the offense and can not only score efficiently in the paint but also find teammates when double teams come.  Happ can be forced into turnovers and remains a roughly 50% FT shooter.

Scouting Wisconsin SubTopic

Last Time out

Nebraska built up an 11 point lead in the 2nd half and a 7 point lead with a minute to go. Nebraska had one of those OMG HOW DO I CLOSE THIS GAME endings to make the final 63-59. Happ and Davison led the scoring for Wisconsin while 18 from Palmer and Jordy's best game to that date paced the Huskers.  Wisconsin went on to lose all of their road games + winning one at home. Nebraska had Jordy go AWOL but the addition of Roby to the starting lineup and James Palmer assertion as a dominating offensive force have propelled the Huskers towards post season buzz.

The Skinny

Wisconsin on the road looks a bit like you'd expect a team missing two starters and playing a bunch of underclassmen might look: B-A-D.  At home it's a different story where the 3s tend to fall and the calls tend to go your way.  As this team is basically Ethan Happ, more Ethan Happ, Brad Davison with a bad shoulder, and gumption it's also a team that is killed by elite offenses.  If you're in a game in the 50s-60s with Wisconsin at their place? You're probably going to lose.  If you're up 22-9 in the first 10 minutes? They're not coming back.  Nebraska sure looked like an elite shooting team against Iowa at home though it was after looking like hot garbage vs Rutger's length.  This Husker offense is somewhere in between much like the Buckeye defense is somewhere in between Iowa and Rutgers.

Once again you'll see a double teams on Happ. Do the Badger make Nebraska pay this time from 3? What role players step up from either team for big games? Unless Jordy is in foul trouble expect the Huskers to stick with their 8 man rotation.  This is a game that Wisconsin probably will win.  However, unlike the Badgers, Nebraska has been playing well on the road, especially on defense.

Prediction: Nebraska 63 - Wisconsin 60