The Matchup: Wisconsin (6-5, 0-0) vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (7-2, 0-0)
When: Tues. Dec 15; 8pm CT
Where: Madison, Wis.; Kohl Center (17,287)
TV: BTN
Radio: Badgers Sports Network
Last Meeting: Wisconsin won, 76-63 (March 16, 2007 – in NCAA Tournament)
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads, 1-0
Starting Lineups:
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders
G Hameed Ali — Sr. 6-2, 180 (8.0 ppg, 5.3 apg)
G Brandon Pye — Sr. 6-0, 175 (11.9 ppg, 1.1 apg)
F Jelani Currie — Sr. 6-4, 190 (5.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
F Bryce Douvier — Sr. 6-7, 235 (9.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
F Rashawn Thomas — Jr. 6-8, 230 (16.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg)
Wisconsin Badgers
G Bronson Koenig — Jr. 6-4, 193 (15.1 pgg, 2.9 rpg, 2.5 apg)
G Zak Showalter — Jr. 6-2, 180 (8.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.6 apg)
F Vitto Brown — Jr. 6-8, 230 (9.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.5 apg)
F Nigel Hayes — Jr. 6-8, 240 (16.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.1 apg)
F Ethan Happ — Fr. 6-9, 235 (10.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.2 apg)
Biggest Matchup: Brandon Pye vs. Bronson Koenig
Let’s not mince words, the numbers are lying a lot when it comes to point guard Bronson Koenig. While he may be second on the team in scoring, he has struggled a ton from the field and the offense has been more stagnant than it has in some time with him handling the ball.
Koenig to Hayes was supposed to be a dream, but the two are often times seen standing next to each other on the perimeter rather than getting an inside-out game going. It has resulted in some god awful shooting numbers to say the least.
In his last two games, Koenig is a combined 8-27 from the field. His last five games? 21-68 (30.8%). The duo was just a combined 7-29 shooting against Marquette, and if it weren’t for a supporting cast that picked up a ton of slack it could’ve been even more ugly than usual.
Wisconsin’s point guard is going to get a defensive challenge from the Islanders floor general as well, and at some point this team is going have to have Koenig lead it from the outside while also working this offense in a much more efficient manner. Could this be the night?
3 Numbers to Know:
—5: The Badgers have lost by a combined five points in its three home losses this season. What does that mean for tonight? Wisconsin better not be in a close game or it could mean another embarrassing loss.
—6: The Islanders come in on a six-game winning streak, meaning this team comes in ultra confident. However, the six games have all come against fellow mid-major opponents. It is the Islanders longest win streak since a seven-game streak in the 2013-14 season.
—8: That is the next highest number of NCAA official RPI top 150 opponents faced by a Big Ten team. Wisconsin has faced the most, with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi being the 10th such foe faced. Illinois is the next at that eight-team mark.
Prediction: Wisconsin 75, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 61
The Islanders don’t exactly play a slow-down style of basketball, but the Badgers are going to work the clock like it always does. Much of that will be because they are looking to get Nigel Hayes going with his back to the basket and start establishing another inside threat to go with Ethan Happ. Something has to get Hayes and Koenig going or the Badgers are in serious trouble.
You can also expect this team to know it is in some serious NCAA tournament trouble if it can’t get on a huge roll over the next month or so. There’s no better time than the present to start that, so that’s what we’re predicting.
Wisconsin wins thanks to it’s superior rebounding and inside presence overall — and it may be the last time that is true all season long. wis
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