After a tough 80-72 overtime loss that saw a 19 point lead disappear, Wisconsin basketball will play their biggest home game of the season tomorrow, The Badgers will welcome #2 Purdue to the Kohl Center. First place in the Big Ten is on the line as both teams enter this game with two conference losses.
Purdue is coming off an overtime win vs Northwestern Tuesday night. It should be a great crowd and great atmosphere tomorrow. Tip time is noon on CBS. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Wisconsin Basketball Has to Commit to Stopping Zach Edey
Any game plan against Purdue has to be centered around 7’4 Zach Edey. The reigning National Player of the Year looks to be on his way to repeating the awards. Edey leads Purdue with 23 points a game.
Do you double (sometimes triple) team him? Do you let him get his own and take away the supporting cast? This will be interesting to see how Greg Gard and the Badgers do this. However, Wisconsin basketball chooses to defend Edey, they have to be committed to it, but also be willing to change if needed.
Take Away the Purdue Role Players
If I’m preparing for Purdue, I’m taking my chances on Edey and taking away the supporting cast. The Boilermakers have three very good three point shooters in Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, and Lance Jones. Jones has been a great transfer portal addition and the duo of Loyer and Smith is arguably the best guard duo in the Big Ten,
In particular, Jones and Loyer has quick releases and they don’t need much space to shoot. As a team, Purdue shoots over 40% from three, Wisconsin basketball struggled to defend the three int he second half against Nebraska. They have to be better with Purdue and make them take jump shot.
Prediction
ESPN gives Purdue a 60% chance to win this game. I think this is a game Purdue needs more than the Badgers. The Boilermakers are expected to win the Big Ten. Wisconsin basketball has been sort of the surprise of the conference to this point.
The first few minutes of this game will be interesting for the Badgers. The home crowd should be electric and the energy will be on their side. If you’re Wisconsin I think you’re aggressive early and don’t allow an early run by the Boilermakers. When they go on a run, it is hard to beat them.
How Purdue is officiated in this game will be something to look for as well. The Boilermakers shot 46 free throws Wednesday night and drew 31 Northwestern fouls. It’s been the talk of the Big Ten and college basketball since. Home teams tend to get a better whistle especially at the college level.
I think we’re going to see a Wisconsin team that wants to forget about Thursday night’s game. They know they gave that game away and they’ve responded well coming off of losses. This is very good team at home and I thik that’s the biggest advantage.
Expect another close game that will come down to the final five minutes. I think Wisconsin basketball pulls off the upset and take sole possession of first place tomorrow,
Wisconsin 74 Purdue 72
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