Coming off another solid outing on offense last Saturday against Nebraska, Wisconsin basketball hits the road for the first time in a month. The Badgers will travel to Ohio State for a battle against the Buckeyes. Ohio State is 12-3 overall and 2-2 in league play. Tip time is 7:30 on BTN.
Can Wisconsin stay undefeated in conference play and improve to 4-0? Here is a preview of tomorrow night’s game.
A Battle of the Wisconsin Basketball and Ohio State Benches
Both Ohio State and Wisconsin are not nor afraid to go to their benches. The Buckeyes have eight players that play at least 17 minutes a game. Wisconsin basketball doesn’t have the minutes the Ohio State bench has, but Greg Gard is not afraid to play 10 guys. Honestly, all 10 deserve it too.
The Wisconsin basketball bench is coming off of a 36 point performance against Nebraska. John Blackwell and Connor Essegian were responsible for 24 of those, but it’s an experienced bench that has played well all season.
There is a lot of similarities with these teams. I think whoever’s bench can provide that four or five minute stretch in the second half will win this game.
Better Guard Play Wins
This will be a dandy to follow all game. I think the trio of Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn, Max Klesmit, and Tyler Wahl against Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle Jr, and Jamison Battle will be one of the better trio battles in the conference.
This Ohio State trio accounts for 46 of their 78 points a game. Battle has been lethal from three shooting 45% and making 47 already. Wisconsin basketball has been good defending Battle going back to his time at Minnesota, but the was by far their best player. The talent of players like Gayle and Thornton have allowed Battle to be more productive.
Prediction
ESPN sees this game as a 50/50 split. I tend to agree with that. Ohio State is one of the best five teams in the Big Ten. They are young, fast, and talented everywhere. The deep run they made in the Big Ten Tournament a season ago, that included beating the Badgers, I think gave this team momentum in the summer and to begin this season.
Wisconsin got a nice win in Columbus last season and have enjoyed some recent success at Value City Arena. This is not a place Wisconsin will be nervous to walk into.
The post depth for the Buckeyes could be a huge advantage for Wisconsin basketball. After Felix Okpara and Zed Key, there isn’t many post players that see the floor. The Badgers will have the bigger lineup out there. With how well Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl have played recently, it could be another nice night, especially if Okpara or Key get in foul trouble.
I’m not sure why, but I don’t have a great feeling about this game. I really like Ohio State’s bench and I think Bruce Thornton can be an issue despite Chucky Hepburn being a very good defender. Hiccups on the road will happen in the Big Ten, and my gut feeling is this will be a game Wisconsin basketball slips. There’s no doubt this will be tight, but I think the Buckeyes and their 37% team three point shooting makes a big three late.
Ohio State 75 Wisconsin 71
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