(Photo courtesy Geoff Burke, USA Today)
With most eyes on Wednesday’s big football game, let’s take a look at the undefeated basketball team as it heads into the B1G conference play. This is a feature you’ll see three times this conference season as we break it into six-game segments.
And with that, we head to Evanston.
Opponent: at Northwestern
Date: Thursday, January 2
Record as of today: 7-6
Thoughts: The first conference game could be an interesting one. On paper, it should be all Badgers as Northwestern hasn’t played their best so far this season. The game will also be in Evanston while students are still away on break. This should lead to an even mellower atmosphere which is something that does worry me a bit. The Badgers need to come out strong to start and not let Northwestern stay in the game.
Prediction: Wisconsin wins by low double digits. The Wildcats will go on a run in the second half as Wisconsin relies too much on an outside shot that has gone cold. The Badgers will hit their free throws, though, and move to 14-0.
Opponent: Iowa
Date: Sunday, January 5
Record as of today: 11-2
Thoughts: I could very easily see this being Wisconsin’s first loss of the season. The Hawkeyes have a strong, experienced team this year and have given the Badgers fits the past two seasons. Also, factor in the Packers game that will still be playing when the game starts and the crowd could be less than full. The only thing going the Badgers way is that this team matches up better with the Hawkeyes than the teams have the last two years.
Prediction: This game is going to be within five points either way and I see a split happening with the home team winning each. Wisconsin by four and they are 15-0.
Opponent: Illinois
Date: Wednesday, January 8
Record as of today: 11-2
Thoughts: It seems like regardless of how good the two teams are, Wisconsin plays Illinois well. This, being another home game, figures to be no different. Illinois has looked very good at times but has also struggled at other times. I may be over-confident, but I don’t see the Illini playing Wisconsin too closely, especially in Madison.
Prediction: Badgers by eight and move to 16-0.
Opponent: at Indiana
Date: Tuesday, January 14
Record as of today: 10-3
Thoughts: The Badgers never lose in Bloomington, right? Sadly, I think that streak is going to come to an end. Indiana is tough at home and they’ll obviously be up for this game, as Wisconsin may even be ranked number one. The Hoosiers pull off a close one and we get reminded of the parallels of the last time Wisconsin was number one and lost at Indiana.
Prediction: Indiana by two and Wisconsin drops to 16-1.
Opponent: Michigan
Date: Saturday, January 18
Record as of today: 8-4
Thoughts: This game looked more difficult before the McGary injury but with him down, the Wolverines become a different team. One question mark the Badgers still need to prove is how they play against teams with multiple big guys. The depth for Wisconsin just isn’t there yet, but in this game, it shouldn’t matter quite as much.
Prediction: Wisconsin by seven to move to 17-1.
Opponent: at Minnesota
Date: Wednesday, January 22
Record as of today: 11-2
Thoughts: It’s never easy heading to Minneapolis and last year proved that. Still, this year Minnesota is more in the middle of the pack in the conference instead of in the top tier like the past couple years. The Badgers will struggle early and the Gophers may even have a lead in the second half. Still, Wisconsin prevails.
Prediction: Badgers win by three and move to 18-1.
Overall, this section of the schedule doesn’t look as tough as later in the conference schedule. I see Wisconsin going 5-1, but that loss could come against Iowa, Indiana or Minnesota. Sure, one of the other three could knock them off as well, but I would consider that a decent upset.
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