The Matchup: No. 17 Wisconsin vs. Western Illinois
When: Friday, Nov. 13; 8p.m. CT
Where: Madison, Wis.; Kohl Center (17,287)
TV: BTN
Radio: Badgers Sports Network
Last Meeting: UW won 69-42 on Dec. 7, 1989
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads 1-0
Starting Lineups: *all stats are 2014
Western Illinois
G Jabari Sandifer — 6-1, 175 lbs., Jr. (7.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.3 apg)
G J.C. Fuller — 6-4, 190, Sr. (12.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.3 apg)
G Garret Covington — 6-5, 195, Jr. (15.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg)
F Tate Stensgaard — 6-9, 200, Sr. (4.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.9 apg)
C Brandon Gilbeck — 6-11, 250, Fr. (no stats)
Wisconsin
G Bronson Koenig — Jr. (8.7 pgg, 1.8 rpg, 2.5 apg)
G Zak Showalter — So. (2.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.5 apg)
F Vitto Brown — Jr. (1.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.2 apg)
F Nigel Hayes — Jr. (12.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.0 apg)
F Ethan Happ — Fr. (no stats)
Biggest Matchup: Zak Showlater vs J.C. Fuller
Wisconsin’s defense will be tested by the Leahernecks offensive height and length. However, the 6-4 senior against Showlater, who is a stater from the get-go for the first time is going to be hugely important.
It’s likely that Showy takes over as the backup point guard, so watching how he handles both guard duties is going to be key. Let’s just say, as Showy goes so will this game. Fuller can fill it up from inside and out and Showalter will have his hands full on both ends of the court.
3 Numbers to Know:
– 3: This young team is going to be challenged right out of the box with three games in five days. One has to believe that was partly be design by Bo Ryan, as UW takes on Western Illinois on Friday, followed by a Sunday matchup with Siena as part of the 2K Classic and then hosts North Dakota on Nov. 17 to finish off that crazy stretch run.
– 28.2: Wisconsin has won each of the last 12 home openers to the season by an average of 28.2 points per game. Last season it was complete domination of newcomer Northern Kentucky, with the Badgers winning 62-31.
– 17: That is the number of home openers the Badgers have won in a row. It’s last loss in an opener period came in Bo Ryan’s first game at the helm of the program, losing 79-64 at UNLV. However, the last loss in a home opener came in the I-94 rivalry against Marquette all the way back in 1997.
Prediction: Wisconsin 82, Western Illinois 64
The tip-off to the real 2015-16 season is going to be more interesting than most as of late, if for no other reason than to see how this young group comes together when it matters most. Western Illinois is a good starting spot, as the Leathernecks aren’t great and don’t have a ton of length to themselves. Additionally, it is a group working in some new starters of its own.
Still, the talent level disparity should rear its head in this one and the Badgers will cruise. Plenty of rotations and different combinations of players will be able to be tested in this game, as UW figures out what groups work best together going forward. Still, Hayes and Koenig dominate this matchup and Wisconsin wins this opener comfortably as the 2015 national runner-up banner gets unveiled before the game.
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