After a tough loss to Arizona last Saturday, Wisconsin basketball returns home tomorrow night to take on Jacksonville State. It is one of two remaining non-conference games left until Big Ten play resumes after the New Year.
It is the last chance for the Badgers to clean up mistakes and prepare for the long conference season. Can they avoid a potential trap game and take care of business before the end of the calendar year? Tip time is 6 PM tomorrow night on BTN. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Can Wisconsin Basketball Re-establish the Post Game?
There’s no doubt the post players from Wisconsin were beaten badly by Arizona bigs last Saturday. After playing great in the post during their six game winning streak, it was a little discouraging for players like Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl to have a tough game against the number one team in the country.
This feels like a game where Crowl and Wahl can get back on the right track. I think there is clear advantage in the paint tomorrow night. Expect Greg Gard to have some set plays for Crowl and Wahl right away. Games are won in the post during Big Ten play. Whoever have the better post play usually wins the game. Expect an early and active game from these two.
Avoid A Holiday Hangover
Non-conference games against non-power five teams can be tough to wake up for to begin with. Add in the end of the semester and the Christmas holiday, it can be really tough. The crowds tend to be smaller, the student section is smaller, and there isn’t as much energy in the building.
I’m not saying the Badgers would lose this game, but they need to make sure they continue to bring the energy and the momentum. It can be hard, but one thing could go wrong and all of a sudden Jacksonville State is in a game the Badgers shouldn’t have them in. It will be on the Wisconsin basketball bench to make sure the energy in the building is still there.
Prediction
ESPN gives Wisconsin basketball a 96% chance to win this game. I would agree with that and I don’t see much of a problem here.
The Gamecocks will rely heavily on guard KyKy Tandy. He comes into this game averaging 17.4 points a game and shoots 34% from three. It will be another good guard the Badgers will have to face, something they are used to at this point.
The depth for Jacksonville State is interesting too. They have 11 players averaging at least 10 minutes a game. No player plays over 30 minutes a game either. This could be a game Wisconsin basketball goes 10-11 deep in the rotation again.
I think Wisconsin is the more athletic team and I see a ton of points on the paint. As long as the Badgers do what they need to do on both sides, they’re shouldn’t be a potential upset in the Kohl Center tomorrow. I look for Wisconsin basketball to roll in this one.
Wisconsin 80 Jacksonville State 57
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