Coming off a tough week and hard fought loss to Purdue Sunday, Wisconsin basketball hits the road for two road games this week. Up first is a battle in Ann Arbor against Michigan. The Wolverines are in last place in the Big Ten with a 7-15 overall record and 2-9 in the Big Ten.
Can the Badgers get back to their winning ways and end their mini two game losing streak? Tip time is 6 PM on BTN. Here is a preview of tomorrow night’s game.
Can Wisconsin Basketball Get Back on Track?
For awhile now, we knew last week was going to be one of the tougher weeks on the Wisconsin basketball schedule since the gauntlet they went through with Arizona, Marquette, and Michigan State in December. Purdue is clearly the best team in the Big Ten and Nebraska is likely the fourth best team in the conference right now. The Badgers had their chances to win both games, but blew a 19 point second half lead against the Cornhuskers and just shot the ball bad against the Boilermakers.
Wisconsin basketball needs to get back what they do best. Getting touches in the paint early in the shot clock and attacking the rim. Too many times last week they would get away from it for long periods of time. Tomorrow could be a good chance against a Michigan team on a five game losing streak and are probably looking for the season to end now.
Get Steven Crowl and AJ Storr Rolling Early
AJ Storr had 35 points last week between the two games. If you take away the great first half against Nebraska, Storr has struggled on the offensive side. He’s forcing too many shots and is playing the game a million miles an hour. I don’t think anyone on Michigan can defend Storr. I think he has a chance to have a really good game tomorrow,. He has to let the game come to game, but don’t surprised if Greg Gard tries to get him involved early and look for some easy shots to fall.
Wisconsin basketball needs to get Steven Crowl back to playing consistently. It was a bad week for the junior center. He only had nine points combined and did not make a shot against Nebraska.
Too many times this season Crowl has disappeared in games. He is a huge part of the Wisconsin offense. Tomorrow needs to be a game where he gets back his mojo.
Prediction
The Wolverines are not a good team this season. It also looked like they quit against Rutgers after the Scarlet Knights went on a 18-2 run to the end that game in Ann Arbor over the weekend.
Can Wisconsin basketball lose this game tomorrow? Yes they can, especially if they play the way they did last last week.
The Badgers needs to have an answer for guard Dug McDaniel and forward Oliver Nkamhoua, They combine for 32 of the 77 points a game for Michigan. The Wisconsin defense needs to be ready to defend.
Steven Crowl mentioned after the game Sunday the last time the Badgers had a two game losing streak, they went on a nice winning streak. I hope they can do that beginning tomorrow. The schedule sets up nicely as they should be favorites in every game until the regular season finale at Purdue.
If the Badgers do what they are suppose to do, they should get out of Ann Arbor with a win, They are due to break out on offense. I would like to see Wisconsin basketball attack the rim and get to the free throw line.
I think AJ Storr is the difference in this game, He will be the best player and most athletic player on the court. I think Michigan will struggle to defend him and it will result in some open looks, something the Badgers has always take advantage of.
I don’t think this will be a blowout, but I don’t see an upset here tomorrow night.
Wisconsin 76 Michigan 68
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