Coming off an emotional 80-77 overtime win against their rival Marquette, Wisconsin returns to the Kohl Center to open Big Ten play. Maryland Basketball travels to face Wisconsin tomorrow night. Tip time is 8 PM on ESPN 2. Here is the preview of tomorrow’s game:
Contain the Bigs of Maryland Basketball
Maryland’s Danta Scott, Julian Reese, and Hakeem Hart are one of the best forward trios in the Big Ten. For a team that struggles with forward depth, Tyler Wahl, Steven Crowl, and Carter Gilmore will have their hands full. I would expect to see Chris Hodges tomorrow to avoid easy fouls for the other three. Wisconsin will certainly have its work cut out.
Hart and Scott are also very good three-point shooters for Maryland Basketball. Hart is currently 52% from three. Scott isn’t too far behind at 39%. The good news? Wisconsin’s forward’s can defend in the paint and outside the paint. It shouldn’t be uncomfortable, but it will be challenging.
The Health of Chucky Hepburn
Chucky Hepburn was injured near the end of the first half of the Marquette game. After taking the opening pass in the second half, he limped toward the sidelines and went to the locker room. He did return, but will he be 100% tomorrow night vs. Maryland Basketball?
What Hepburn did against Marquette was certainly phenomenal. He also will have to be solid tomorrow night as well. I would be surprised if he plays 35+ minutes because of a long season and there’s no reason to push an injury this early on. As a result, players such as Connor Essegian, Kamari McGee, and Isaac Lindsey will need to be ready at any time. If Hepburn is out for long stretches, expect Max Klesmit to run a lot of the point.
Maryland-Wisconsin Prediction
Maryland comes into this game ranked #13 in the country. Right now, I don’t buy it. It was an impressive win against Illinois at home last Friday 71-66. However, their other two power five games were against a win-less Louisville squad and Miami, who is 8-1 on the year.
I’m certainly not saying Maryland Basketball isn’t good. I just don’t know if they are #13 good. The trio of Reese, Hart, and Scott do concern me. All three are talented players and can take over a game. Wisconsin needs to stay out of foul trouble. Early subbing for Crowl and even Tyler Wahl might have to happen to protect them.
Wisconsin has played a pretty tough schedule to this point. They’ve consequently already beaten Dayton, Marquette, and USC all on the road or neutral site. They’ve had to battle every game with the exception of South Dakota. They could have won most of those or lost most of them. Wisconsin has played a much better schedule than Maryland has to this point.
I subsequently think Maryland-Wisconsin is decided in the final four minutes. Whoever can generate a turnover or make a big shot will probably come out on top. I like where the Badgers are at and they have the home crowd on their side. Give me the home team in a close battle.
Maryland Basketball 64 – Wisconsin Basketball 68
Follow me on Twitter @DylanBuboltz and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
