It was a heart-breaking loss for the Badgers yesterday. Wisconsin fell 87-79 in overtime to Michigan. Hunter Dickinson made a really tough three point shot at the buzzer and the Wolverines owned the extra five minutes. This was a result of Wisconsin falling behind as much as 12 points. As we hit the final week of the regular season, Wisconsin is squarely on the bubble. They need to have a successful week to hear their name on Selection Sunday. I see three scenarios where the Badgers hear their name to go to the NCAA Tournament.
Win Both Games This Week
Wisconsin welcomes fifth ranked Purdue to the Kohl Center Thursday for their home finale. Then they finish the regular season at last place Minnesota.
Purdue is a tough match-up for Wisconsin as they feature one of the best players in the country in 7’4 Zach Edey. He will cause nightmares leading up to this game and he will be a handful. On the other hand, Purdue’s starting guards are both freshmen and have been struggling lately. However, Fletcher Loyer can light up from three and Braden Smith is already one of the better point guards in the league.
Minnesota is struggling to end the season. They only have one win in conference. However, they almost beat Wisconsin in Madison back in January. It was the game Tyler Wahl got hurt and Wisconsin did not respond well. I also like Minnesota’s young players and Dawson Garcia and Jamison Battle are good offensive players.
If Wisconsin wins both these games, I don’t think they need to win a game in Chicago next week.
Lose To Purdue, Beat Minnesota, Win One Game At The Big Ten Tournament
I think this might be the most realistic of the three options. I don’t like Wisconsin’s chances Thursday even though Purdue is struggling. They also can’t lose to Minnesota. That would be a bad loss for their resume and in general.
The good news about the Big Ten Tournament is outside of Minnesota, there are chances to get a quad one win just about anywhere. Wisconsin has enough quad one and quad two wins to get in the tournament. They just need to pile up wins. Right now, I think 18 wins gets them in.
Lose Both Games This Week, Win At Least Two Games In Big Ten Tournament
This would be a disaster if the Badgers were to lose both games this week. After the loss yesterday to Michigan, they need to pick themselves up fast and get back on track.
If Wisconsin were to fall twice this week, they would most likely be playing Wednesday in the Big Ten Tournament and would have to win at least two games and get to Friday.
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