How can the Badgers pull off the victory against Minnesota on Friday?
The Wisconsin Badgers have won four straight games and sit at 12-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The Badgers face rival Minnesota tonight after the Gophers lost a heartbreaking double overtime game at home to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Here are two Badgers and Gophers to look out for in this contest:
Wisconsin: John Blackwell
John Blackwell has been playing at an All-Big Ten First Team caliber level. His level of play has helped the Badgers win four straight and counting. Blackwell has emerged as Wisconsin’s premier ball handler and playmaker during this win streak and will need to continue this high level of play against the Minnesota Gophers.
Minnesota is best at defending the three, so Blackwell will need to stay physical and drive into the lane to create shots for himself and his teammates. Expect a big night for Blackwell in the paint and as a facilitator with Wisconsin’s leader in assists Max Klesmit questionable.
Wisconsin: Steven Crowl
I mentioned how head coach Greg Gard called out Steven Crowl publicly and explained how he needed to become more physical after three rough outings against Michigan, Marquette, and Illinois. He adapted well and has had his best stretch of the season yet in the Badgers’ past four games.
Crowl had an excellent outing against Rutgers with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists. He was critical down the stretch with injuries to both Klesmit and Nolan Winter. Crowl has a size advantage in this matchup against a Gophers squad that lacks a true five starter. Expect Crowl to be aggressive and a scoring leader in this contest tonight.
Minnesota: Dawson Garcia
Fifth-year forward Dawson Garcia is far and away Minnesota’s best player this season. Garcia has been pretty great as a scoring option for the Gophers, averaging 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2 assists per game on 49.4 FG% and 35.6% from three.
Wisconsin needs to always have eyes on Garcia as he is a serious perimeter threat. Minnesota is a poor shooting team but could get hot early if a guy like Dawson Garcia finds open looks that he likes from beyond the arc. Expect Nolan Winter to have his work cut out for him in defending Garcia.
Minnesota: Parker Fox
Parker Fox is an eighth (!!!) year forward for the Gophers who had a big night against Ohio State where he scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots.
Fox is an interior threat only, meaning whoever is on him knows what his limits are and how to successfully defend him. Guys like John Tonje and Carter Gilmore will need to limit their efficiency inside the paint in order to ensure an easy Wisconsin win in this matchup.
Wisconsin played well on the road against Rutgers and I expect them to win this one pretty easily with big performances from both Blackwell and Crowl.
Final Prediction: 84-65 Wisconsin (-12.5)