The Basics

Where: The Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin

When: Saturday, December 3rd; 12 p.m. CT

Channel: BTN

All-Time Series: 4-4

Last Meeting: Oklahoma won 65-48 (11/29/15)

Projected Starting Lineups

Oklahoma Sooners (5-1)

G Jordan Woodard- Sr. 6-1,187 (17.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.7 apg)

G Christian James- Sr. 6-4, 218 (11.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.2 apg)

G Rashard Odomes- So. 6-6, 216 (8.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.8 apg)

F Khadeem Lattin- Jr. 6-9, 212 (11.5, 6.7, .5 apg)

F Matt Freeman- Fr. 6-10, 224 (4.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, .5 apg)

Wisconsin Badgers (6-2)

G Bronson Koenig- Sr. 6-3, 190 (15.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.6 apg)

G Zak Showalter- Sr. 6-3, 185 (6.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.4 apg)

F Nigel Hayes- Sr. 6-8, 240 (11.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.5 apg)

F Vitto Brown- Sr. 6-8, 235 (7.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1 apg)

C Ethan Happ- So. 6-10, 232 (13.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.5 apg)

Biggest Matchup: Bronson Koenig vs Jordan Woodward

Both Oklahoma and Wisconsin are led in scoring by their veteran point guards. Bronson Koenig has been playing at an All-Big Ten level to start the season, averaging 15 points per game. He already has four 20-point games this season after only having four the entire 2015-16 season. Last game, he started to break out of his three-point shooting slump, hitting six of nine from deep. He is currently hitting three pointers at a 30% clip, but expect that to continue to rise up to where it was the last two seasons.

As good as Koenig has been for the Badgers, Jordan Woodward has been even better for Oklahoma. He has taken on a much greater burden of the offense with the departure of Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins, and Ryan Spangler, and he has handled it well. He is an excellent shooter, and can score from anywhere on the court, leading to his 17 points per game. He is also sure to make life difficult for Koenig on offense, as he gets 2.7 steals per game.

3 Numbers to Know

57.1– That is the three-point shooting percentage of Oklahoma Sooners’ guard Christian James. Needless to say, Wisconsin does not want to let him get open looks from the perimeter, because he has been money from there so far.

10– The numbers of players that average double-digit minutes for the Sooners. Aside from Jordan Woodard, Oklahoma’s starters don’t play that much more than their top reserves. So although they are young, they are a deep team. They can throw a lot of different bodies and combinations at you.

0– The number of three-point shots Nigel Hayes attempted over the last two days. Shockingly (sarcasm font), those two games were his best in a long time. It is pretty clear to anyone watching that Hayes is at his best when he’s playing inside and around the hoop, not launching shots on the perimeter. It seems like he’s starting to realize that too. This game will let us know for sure.

Prediction

It looked like Wisconsin turned a corner against Syracuse this week, dominating both inside the paint and on the perimeter. If the Badgers continue to play like that, they can beat anyone in the country. Even if they don’t play like that, they still should be able to handle this inexperience Oklahoma team. Anything short of Buddy Hield walking through the Kohl Center door will result in the first of two big Badger victories on Saturday.

Wisconsin 73, Oklahoma 59