It is the home finale for Wisconsin basketball tomorrow night. The Badgers will take on Rutgers in the last game at the Kohl Center this season. It will also be Senior Night as Tyler Wahl will play for the last time at the Kohl Center. It’s been a great five season for Wahl as he has scored over 1,000 points, a four year starter, and two conference championships.
Wisconsin basketball looks to avenge their worst loss of the season as Rutgers destroyed them 78-56 in Piscataway February 10. Can the Badgers end the year strong at home? Tip time is 6 PM on FS1. Here is a preview of tomorrow night’s game.
Wisconsin Basketball Has to Start Much Better
There’s no doubt about it. The first meeting in New Jersey was the worst performance of the season for Wisconsin basketball. You don’t want to question effort , but I questioned the effort this team brought to that game. Part of that was likely the shock after losing to Michigan three days earlier. However, the Badgers made it clear from the tip they had no interest in competing in that game.
The Badgers have been better with turnovers in the last few games, but the Rutgers defense will make life tough on them. They can’t give the Scarlet Knights free possessions. Despite how much they struggle on offense, they will make you pay with free possessions and that happened in the first meeting. I will be looking to see if Wisconsin basketball can continue to be better taking care of the ball.
Respect the Rutgers Three Point Game
As a team, the Scarlet Knights only shoot 28% from three. In the meeting February 10, they were 10-17 from three. Noah Fernandes was a big reason for that as he was 5-5 that day.
This is not a good enough Wisconsin basketball defense that can make Rutgers beat them from behind the three. The Badgers have to defend all parts of the court. This includes defending in the paint, something they have been brutal at all season. If Rutgers shoots 10-17 from three again, which I doubt they will, the Badgers will lose this game.
Prediction
On paper, this should be a game the Badgers can cruise in. However, that is anything but that case right now. It’s hard to tell if this team has mailed in on the regular season and just wants to get to Minneapolis for the Big Ten Tournament next week. They also know they will hear their named called in Selection Sunday on March 17.
This game, like multiple other Big Ten games this week, have conference tournament seeding implications. If Wisconsin basketball can win this game, it feels like they will likely be the fifth seed next week with the four seed still a good possibility. Lose? We could see this team be a seven seed or even in the eight-nine game. There’s still a lot to play out, but some clarity would be there if they win.
Wisconsin basketball can’t mess around in this game. You don’t want to give a team that struggles on offense reason to believe. Those teams will make you pay. They found out the hard way February 10.
It will be an emotional night for Tyler Wahl, He has had an incredible career and has been a great leader on this team the last three seasons. You don’t want him to walk off the court for the last time in a losing effort.
Do I have a lot of confidence in this team? It’s not as much as a few weeks ago and every game it diminishes more. This should be a game Wisconsin basketball cruises in, but I don’t see it happening. Until we see the same effort and energy on defense that we have seen offensively this year, these will all be close games.
Wisconsin 68 Rutgers 64
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