The Matchup: No. 9 Wisconsin (16-3, 3-3 B1G) at Purdue (13-6, 3-3 B1G)
When: 4pm CT
Where: West Lafayette, IN – Mackey Arena
TV: BTN
Radio: Badger Radio Network
All-Time Series: 105-65 Purdue leads
Last Meeting: 69-55 Purdue W (3/3/13)
The Opposition:
Purdue is coming in to this one a rather ticked off bunch, losing at home earlier this week to Northwestern in double-overtime. It also shot just 27.6 percent from the field, so it would be wise to believe they are going to come out swinging at home on Saturday afternoon.
Mackey Arena has once again become a serious home court advantage, with the Boilermakers holding a 10-1 record there on the season. Part of that is due to a suffocating defense that allows opponents to shoot a league-low 27.8 percent from beyond the arc in conference play.
The star of the show is senior guard Terone Johnson, who is averaging a team-best 13.5 points per game. He isn't the only one to watch for on the offensive end of the court either, as his brother Ronnie Johnson (10.9) and forward A.J. Hammons (10.2) are also averaging in double figures for the Boilers.
Key Matchup:
This is an easy one, OK, it's actually two in this game. First is the individual matchup between Frank Kaminsky and A.J. Hammons on the block. Wisconsin can not allow Hammons to get going early and to dominate the glass (averages 7.1 rebounds per game), and that duty will fall on Kaminsky's shoulders. He can't get in to early foul trouble again either, as the Badgers just simply don't have the size on the bench to match what Hammons brings.
Additionally, it will be key to watch Wisconsin's perimeter shooting versus Purdue's perimeter defense. In the three game losing streak, Wisconsin has shot just 31.1 percent (19-of61) from beyond the arc and it's been brutal for one Ben Brust in particular, shooting just 5-of-20 from deep. If Wisconsin wants to win it needs an early spark and it plays it's best basketball on both ends of the court when it's shooting well from deep. However, as we've stated, Purdue has been stingy as hell in Big Ten play, allowing opponents to shoot just 27.8 percent so far in league play.
Prediction: Purdue 71, Wisconsin 68
The odds are against Wisconsin in this one big time. Not only are they on a massive defensive slide that no one on the team seems to be able to answer, but UW has won all of two games at Mackey Arena since 1972. Luckily, one of those two W's came in the last visit. Wisconsin has the better talent on the offensive end of the floor, but it's hard to see them winning against any Big Ten team playing like they have on defense. Look for something to change a bit in this one, but it's Mackey Arena and this place is the Badgers kryptonite.
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