Can the Badgers make it four straight in the classic in-state rivalry against Marquette?
It’s that time, Badger fans.
The No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers travel across I-94 to take on their in-state rival and No. 5 Marquette Golden Eagles in the Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is at 12:30 P.M. CT, with Marquette a 2.5-point favorite.
In a back-and-forth game at the Kohl Center last Tuesday, the Michigan Wolverines handed Wisconsin their first loss of the season, 67-64. The Badgers look to get back into the win column and win their fourth straight against the Golden Eagles for the first time since 1998-2001.
What should Wisconsin fans know about this year’s Marquette team?
Opponent Preview
Shaka Smart’s fourth season at Marquette has seen his Golden Eagles rise from no. 18 to no. 5 in the AP Top 25. The Golden Eagles got off to a splendid 8-0 start that featured a dominant 76-58 win over a top-10-ranked Purdue team and a Quad 1 road win over Maryland, 78-74. On Wednesday, Marquette suffered its first loss of the season at no. 6 Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum, 81-70.
One story to monitor is the health of starting guard Chase Ross, who left Wednesday’s game with a left ankle injury. While Shaka Smart is optimistic he will play on Saturday, his status is doubtful.
Marquette is the top team in college basketball in terms of generating steals. The Golden Eagles have 11.4 steals per game, and starting guard Stevie Mitchell is 13th in the nation with 2.7 steals per game.
If Wisconsin wins this game, they must shut down National Player of the Year candidate Kam Jones. Not only is Jones averaging 19 points per game, but he is 12th in the nation with 6.7 assists per game. In the last two games against Wisconsin, Jones has scored 26 points in 2022 and 19 points last season in the Badgers’ upset win over no. 3 Marquette.
With Oso Ighodaro now in the NBA, senior David Joplin emerged as Marquette’s leading rebounder with six per game. 6’ 11” center Ben Gold has earned a starting spot this season, and in nine games, he averages 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Score Prediction
After Marquette’s loss to Wisconsin at the Kohl Center last season, which led to tears in the locker room, Shaka Smart’s seniors are determined not to let that happen. I have Marquette as the winner in this year’s edition of the rivalry, but it would be funny if Wisconsin sent Kam Jones, David Joplin, and Stevie Mitchell out 0-4 against the Badgers.
Prediction: Marquette 75-69.