The Wisconsin Badgers travel to Champaign to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini tomorrow. Wisconsin is coming off a 63-60 win over Minnesota Tuesday. Illinois Basketball fell to Northwestern on Wednesday and is a shocking 0-3 in Big Ten play. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Will Tyler Wahl Play?
If Wisconsin wins vs. Illinois Basketball tomorrow, Tyler Wahl will need to play. After injuring his ankle early on Tuesday, Wahl did not return. After he left, it was obvious Wisconsin was outplayed most of the game and was destroyed on the glass 40-24. They also seemed to play way too fast. It didn’t look like the same team. In all honesty, they probably lose to any other team in the Big Ten Tuesday if it wasn’t Minnesota.
Andy Katz did mention on BTN’s “BTN Live” today that Greg Gard texted him and said Wahl has not practiced but they hope to have him available tomorrow.
Can Wisconsin Generate Enough Offense vs. Illinois Basketball?
Illinois is now 0-3 in the Big Ten. After the non-conference schedule and beating Texas and UCLA, I would have told anyone they were crazy if they said Illinois would be struggling this badly in conference play. Assuming Tyler Wahl doesn’t play, Wisconsin is missing their leading scorer of 14 points a game and one of their best defenders.
Even if Wahl plays, Wisconsin is going into a hostile crowd and a tough place to win. Players like Max Klesmit and Jordan Davis will need to step up. Expect Chucky Hepburn to be more aggressive as an offensive player as well. Illinois Basketball has players such as Terrance Shannon Jr and Matthew Mayer, who can score buckets quickly. Look for those two seniors to try and get going early.
Wisconsin-Illinois Basketball Prediction
I said earlier this week not to be fooled by Illinois’ 0-3 conference record. There’s no doubt they are looking for an identity on offense and something they can build off of. All of this is uncharacteristic of a Brad Underwood team. When Illinois Basketball can score, they can score in bunches and as well as anyone in the Big Ten. I still believe when they are firing on all cylinders, they are the second-best team in the Big Ten behind Purdue.
I might be pessimistic about this game, but I think Wisconsin will have trouble scoring the ball. They haven’t been as good recently from the three-point line and are struggling at the free-throw line. The Badgers will need to hit double-digit threes if they want to escape Champaign with a win.
It doesn’t sound like Tyler Wahl is playing tomorrow. Even if he plays, how much can he give you with no practice time? Look for a lot of Carter Gilmore and Markus Llver to play big minutes vs. Illinois Basketball. Connor Essegian will also need to have a good game as well.
I think Illinois is an angry team right now, and I don’t want any part of an angry Brad Underwood team if I’m Wisconsin. The crowd should be loud and electric as well. In the end, I like Illinois, but I don’t think it’s a bad loss for the Badgers. The Illini will get better as the year goes along.
Wisconsin 66 – Illinois Basketball 72
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