After a big road win against Purdue Thursday night, Wisconsin (13-5, 2-3 Big Ten) is back at the Kohl Center when they take on Nebraska (9-7, 1-4 Big Ten) Sunday night at 5:00pm CT on Big Ten Network.
The Badgers enter this game coming off a 67-62 victory against Purdue in East Lafayette where they ended their 3 game losing streak. They also ended the Boiler’s
26 game home winning streak at Mackey Arena. Wisconsin is looking to replicate the hot start they had against Purdue, where they made five of their first six three point shots and took an early 22-6 lead. The Badgers shot 47% from the field and 43% from downtown, a vast improvement from their shooting during their 3 game losing streak.
Nebraska and Wisconsin have met already this season, with that contest in Lincoln for both teams Big Ten opener. Ryan Evans had a career night and the Badgers cruised to a 64-40 win. Evans finished with 22 points and 6 rebounds in the win. The Badger’s victory was their last win before their three game losing streak started.
Nebraska’s defense had a tough time slowing down the Wisconsin offense, which shot 51% from the field in a very solid game. “They don’t get in a hurry.” Nebraska coach Doc Sadler said of the Badgers offense, “Everybody wants to talk about how fast, slow, whatever you play. The fact of the matter is they’re efficient.”
On Wednesday Nebraska won their first ever Big Ten game as they defeated Penn State 70-58 at home. Previously the Huskers lost a close game at Illinois and were blown out at Ohio State.
Wisconsin is heavy favorites over the Huskers. Having blown them out in Lincoln, they should be. They come into this game with a lot of momentum after a huge road win. The Grateful Red will be rocking and rowdy as always. I don’t expect the game to be a sellout, as many will be home watching the Packers take on the Giants at 3:30. Wisconsin is 10- 3 at home this year, though they have lost two straight games at the Kohl Center. Nebraska is 2-3 on the road this year.
The key position battle in this game will be Badgers PG Jordan Taylor against Nebraska’s Bo Spencer. Both are considered two of the Big Ten’s, if not the countries, top point guards.
Taylor and Spencer have very similar numbers this year. Spencer leads the Huskers in scoring with 14.9 points a game while Taylor leads Wisconsin with 13.5. Taylor averages 4.5 assists per game while Spencer averages 3.8. In the last meeting Spencer was a non factor, recording only 5 points and 5 assists. While Taylor scored 15 points and also had 5 assists.
You would think that Wisconsin would have no problem against the Huskers, especially with home court this time around. But so far this season the Big Ten has proved that any team can win any game, any time. Ohio State, Michigan, and Indiana would agree with me.
If the Badgers have a good night shooting the Huskers will have a tough time keeping up. For Nebraska to win they’ll have to do what Iowa and Michigan State did: play great defense and make shots. I think the Badgers will come out and play tough and confident, and there’s no way Bo will let them lose a 3rrd straight at home.
Prediction: Wisconsin 68, Nebraska 49
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