Can the Badgers snap their three-game losing streak?
The 20th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers take on the Butler Bulldogs in a de-facto home game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is at 1:30 P.M. CT. on the Big Ten Network, and the Badgers are a 4.5-point favorite.
After starting the season with eight straight victories, the Badgers have dropped three consecutive games to Michigan, Marquette, and Illinois. The Badgers’ most recent loss, an 86-80 defeat to the Fighting Illini in Champaign, saw Wisconsin outrebounded 40-29. It was a poor game for Steven Crowl, who was held to nine points and zero rebounds. Those zero rebounds earned the scorn of Greg Gard.
Now the Badgers must refocus and take on a Butler team coming off two consecutive losses to no. 17 Houston and North Dakota State. What should Wisconsin fans know about the Butler Bulldogs?
Opponent Preview
Butler comes into this game with a 7-2 record that featured an 87-77 win over then-no. 25 Mississippi State at Mullett Arena in Tempe. The Bulldogs’ two home losses came to Austin Peay, a Quad 4 loss, and most recently, NDSU on December 10th, 71-68. As of December 10th, Joe Lunardi has Butler as one of four teams in his “Next Four Out.”
The Bulldogs are one of the slower-paced teams in the county. KenPom lists Butler as 205th in adjusted tempo. They also rank 65th in offensive efficiency and 93rd in defensive efficiency. Butler comes into this game ranked 15th in three-point field goal percentage.
Sophomore Finley Bizjack starts at guard and averages 6.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 2.7 APG. While he’s not on the same level as guards Wisconsin has played already, such as Kam Jones and Kasparas Jakucionis, Bizjack has been a good starter for Butler and made big three-pointers in the second half of their 71-69 win over Northwestern on November 28th in Tempe.
Forwards Jahmyl Telfort and Pierre Brooks II are the leaders and go-to scorers for Butler, with Telfort averaging 17 PPG and Brooks II averaging 14.8 PPG. One of the surprises for Butler has been the emergence of Patrick McCaffery. The Iowa transfer is averaging 12.6 PPG and has emerged as the Bulldogs’ top three-point shooter, making 28-of-61 from behind the arc.
Butler’s frontcourt will be worth monitoring. Forward Augusto Cassia injured his right knee in the Bulldogs’ last game against NDSU and needed assistance getting to the locker room. There is no update on his game-time status. If Cassia cannot go, expect more minutes from seven-foot center Andre Screen, the team’s leading rebounder, and 6’ 11” forward Boden Kapke.
Score Prediction
While Butler is not on the same level as Michigan, Marquette, and Illinois, this team can beat Wisconsin. Telfort and Brooks II will look to be aggressive on offense if the Badgers continue their lackadaisical defensive play.
This game will go back and forth, and the Bulldogs will play inspired ball, given the proximity of Gainbridge Fieldhouse to Butler’s campus, but I predict the Badgers will make enough stops down the stretch to get back into the win column.
Prediction: Wisconsin 82-76.