The Matchup: Bowling Green (1-1) at No. 12 Wisconsin (4-0)
When: Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7pm CT
Where: Kohl Center; Madison, WI
TV: ESPN3/watchESPN
Radio: Badger Radio Network
All-Time Series: 2-1 Badgers lead
Last Meeting: 1991 NIT Tournament, 87-79 Wisconsin Win
The Opposition:
If you are a mid-major, it behooves you to stuff your schedule with some tough non-conference opponents, and that's exactly what the Falcons are doing. However, being picked at the bottom of the MAC East in the preseason poll should tell you all you need to know.
This is the middle of a three game stretch against top level opponents for Bowling Green. They already lost the opener to South Florida and will take on St. Louis after this game.
The Falcons score a ton of points, averaging 82 points a game early on in the season, but also used a DII opponent to pad the stats a bit. However, they are capable of doing some nice things. BGSU is led by guard Jehvon Clarke who is averaging 17.0 points a game, but is shooting just 37.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Stats in the early season are pretty relative, but looking at the South Florida game is telling because USF plays a tough defensive style like the Badgers have in the past. If they can get back to that on Thursday it creates problems for a team that doesn't shoot the ball well.
Key to the Game:
Wisconsin simply needs to play within itself and not turn the ball over. BGSU is forcing 19.5 turnovers a game to their opponents, including 14 against USF. The Badgers have the talent to handle anything the Falcons will throw at them, but they need to handle the pace and make smart decisions with the basketball.
Prediction: Wisconsin 77, Bowling Green 55
The Badgers thrive on creating bad shots for opponents and taking advantage of early opportunities on offense if they are there. Bowling Green can play a bit of the uptempo style Wisconsin has seen enough of early on, but ultimately look to Sam Dekker to take this one over along with Traevon Jackson as the Badgers cruise to victory in what could be a challenging first 10 minutes of action.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
