Coming of a last minute 61-59 win over Minnesota Tuesday night, Wisconsin basketball returns home tomorrow for a battle with the Michigan State Spartans. The Badgers won the first meeting in East Lansing 70-57 on December 5.
However, the Spartans have been playing better and have won their last three games. They enter this game 12-7 and 4-4 in the Big Ten. Can Wisconsin basketball sweep Michigan State? Tip time is 7:30 PM on FS1. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Free Throws and Rebounding
The Badgers dominated free throws and rebounding in the first meeting. They were 14-14 from the line compared to Michigan State’s seven total attempts. Wisconsin basketball also won the rebounding battle 36-22 including an 11-5 advantage on the offensive glass.
It’s interesting because statistically, the Spartans are a better rebounding team. I think part of this has to do with the typical early season struggles the Spartans have, This is the time of the year they usually kick in up another notch.
The Badgers are the best free throw shooting team in the conference. If they can get to the line more and create more possessions, it’s hard to see a road upset happening.
Wisconsin Basketball Needs to Contain Tyson Walker
A lot of what Michigan State wants to do will be centered around senior guard Tyson Walker. He is one of the top scorers in the Big Ten at 19.7 points a game. He has shot the ball 99 times more than the next player. Walker is asked to make a ton of plays and shoot as much as he needs to.
On the other hand, if Walker can get help from his supporting cast, this could be a tight game. A.J. Hoggard, Jaden Akins, Malik Hall, and Tre Holloman have all had moments this season where they can have an impact. if I’m the Badgers, I take my chances on Walker and make sure the supporting cast doesn’t beat me.
Prediction
There is never such thing as a certain win against a Tom Izzo team. It is surprising to see them struggle at the end of January, but this is a game Izzo has consistently won in the past. Wisconsin basketball has to be careful with the Spartans.
If Tyson Walker can make shots early, the supporting cast has a chance to contribute. The good news? This is a guard Chucky Hepburn should be able to stay with. He struggled against Ace Baldwin Jr and Elijah Hawkins recently.
Both teams are playing some good basketball right now. A win for either team will give them momentum before a tough four week stretch that February has to offer in the Big Ten. A win would give the Badgers a cushion as a top team in this conference. A win for the Spartans would likely allow them to go on a run and a team no one want to see.
I think this game is closer than we think, but it’s hard to go against Bucky at home as of late. In the last four home games, Wisconsin basketball has scored 83, 88, 71, and 91 points. It;s hard to pick against that. Michigan State keeps this close, but the Badgers pull away in the second half.
Wisconsin 78 Michigan State 71
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