Now on a three game losing streak, Wisconsin basketball stays on the road tomorrow. The Badgers will take on Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are one of the best home teams in the Big Ten, but are 12-10 and 4-7 in the Big Ten. They have won their last two road games. Can the Badgers end their losing streak and come back to Madison on a high note? Tip time is 11 AM on BTN. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
The Better Defense Will Win
The offense will change for the Scarlet Knights next season. This season? They are one of the worst offensive teams in college basketball. They only average 66 points a game and their leading scorer (Aundre Hyatt) only averages 11 points a game.
On the other hand, Rutgers is a top 10 defensive team in the country. The uglier the game gets and the lower scoring it gets, the more comfortable they are. It will be a good test for Wisconsin basketball as the offense has not been the issue during this three game losing streak. It’s been bad defensive stretches and turning the ball over. You can’t do that against Rutgers.
Can Wisconsin Basketball Stop the Bleeding?
Not much right is going for this team right now. Every team will hit a rough patch in the regular season. It’s a long season and it’s bound to happen. The Badgers are currently in their rough patch right now.
You could argue they should be at least 2-1, if not 3-0 in this stretch. You can’t come up with an excuse for losing to Nebraska after having a 19 point lead. Michigan is the worst team in the Big Ten and it was about as quiet of a road atmosphere as you’ll see in the conference.
This is a veteran Wisconsin basketball team that needs to figure this out and fast. The Big Ten can eat you up in February. Unlike last year, this is a team that has learned from these stretches. They need to find a way to claw and dig for a road win that is a tough place to get one.
Prediction
Two weeks ago, I would not have worried about this game. The Badgers were playing some of the best basketball in the country. I still believe that team is here and they can be one of those teams. Right now, there seems to be a disconnect with this team. It looks like they are in a funk and are not sure how to get out of it.
Despite the record, Rutgers should be coming into this game very confident, They have taken down Michigan and Maryland on the road in back-to-back games. They now return to a home crowd that gives a clear home court advantage. This is not the game where you want to be searching. Unfortunately, this is what this Wisconsin basketball team is doing.
Shockingly, I don’t think there is a reason to be worried about the Wisconsin basketball defense. I just don’t see a player or players that can make the Badgers play on their heels. Unless Wisconsin is careless with the ball again, I don’t see many points being scored in this game.
Wisconsin basketball is the better team, but they are not playing like the better team. I think long term they will be okay. That’s why despite the poor play and the hostile road environment, I’m taking the Badgers to end their losing streak. At some point, the talent has to come out and take over in late games. They have the team to do it and I’m not ready to be concerned about it.
Wisconsin 65 Rutgers 62
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