After ending their four game losing streak at home Tuesday night, Wisconsin basketball hits the road again tomorrow for a clash with the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Badgers won the first meeting January 2 in Madison 83-72. It’s a big game for Iowa as they could get back on the NCAA Tournament bubble with a win. Can Wisconsin gain some momentum near the end of the regular season? Tip time is 1:15 PM on BTN. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Wisconsin Basketball Needs to Defend the Three Point Line
Iowa wants to make this a fast pace game and they want to shoot a ton of threes. They are a streaky team. When on, they can score enough to beat any team in the country. Payton Sandfort, their best shooter, can really light it up from three. He has had an excellent season and Wisconsin basketball has to know where he is.
Over the last month or so, Iowa inserted Josh Dix into the the lineup for Patrick McCaffrey. Dix is an excellent spot up shooter from three. If Tony Perkins is able to penetrate to the rim, Dix could be lethal. If the Badgers can contain Iowa and make them shoot contested jumpers, I like their changes to get a road win.
Max Klesmit Due For a Big Game
It feels like Max Klesmit has been in a funk for the last few weeks. He has not been as good on the offensive side as he was earlier in the season. He had a funk similar to this last year too.
Klesmit is an important part of what this Wisconsin basketball team wants to do. They rely on his shot making and his ability to create his own shot. I think if the Badgers are going to get a win in a tough atmosphere tomorrow, Klesmit is going to have to make shots and make them timely.
Prediction
This game feels like a toss up. Iowa really needs this game to get back into the NCAA Tournament bubble. They do not have a quad one win yet on their tournament. They will likely need this game and one other one. If not, they have to rely on the Big Ten Tournament, which isn’t ideal.
On the other hand, this is a game I think Wisconsin basketball needs too. While they ended the four game skid against Ohio State, I don’t think they solved any issues on the offensive side. They had a good stretch, but almost let a 17 point lead at home get away.
Iowa is allowing over 78 points a game since these teams last met. Can the Badgers score enough and defend well enough in this game? It will be tough as the Hawkeyes play much better at home.
This game wouldn’t hurt the Badgers, but I think it’s important they get a road win to boost thier confidence. Iowa’s offense does concern me and I think that is the difference.
If you would have asked me a few weeks ago, I would have said Wisconsin basketball gets this one. However, I think they still have issues they have to work out before March. As a result, I like Iowa at home in this one.
Iowa 78 Wisconsin 73
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