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The Matchup: Wisconsin (8-5, 0-0) vs. No. 14 Purdue (12-1, 0-0)
When: Tues., Dec. 29; 6p.m. CT
Where: Madison, Wis.; Kohl Center (17,287)
TV: BTN
Radio: Badgers Sports Network
Last Meeting: Wisconsin won, 71-51 (March 4, 2015 — Big Ten tournament)
All-Time Series: Purdue leads, 104-70
Starting Lineups:
Purdue Boilermakers
G P.J. Thompson — So. 5-10, 188 (5.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)
G Raphael Davis — Sr. 6-6, 217 (10.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.2 apg)
F Vince Edwards — So. 6-8, 225 (8.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.3 apg)
F Caleb Swanigan — Fr. 6-9, 250 (11.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.5 apg)
C Isaac Haas — So. 7-2, 282 (12.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.5 apg)
Wisconsin Badgers
G Bronson Koenig — Jr. 6-4, 193 (14.4 pgg, 2.7 rpg, 2.4 apg)
G Zak Showalter — Jr. 6-2, 180 (7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg)
F Vitto Brown — Jr. 6-8, 230 (10.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.5 apg)
F Nigel Hayes — Jr. 6-8, 240 (16.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.2 apg)
F Ethan Happ — Fr. 6-9, 235 (11.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.2 apg)
Biggest Matchup: Ethan Happ vs. Purdue’s Twin Towers
A lot of firsts will happen on Tuesday night in the Kohl Center, but perhaps the most important first is the first big time matchup for freshman forward Ethan Happ. He’s seen other big men, but nothing like the 1-2 punch of starter Isaac Haas and A.J. Hammons — both of which are 7-footers.
Wisconsin’s defensive ability will be put to the biggest test it has seen all season long, and that means Happ has to battle hard, play physical, but also play smart. Haas and Hammons are a handful, and they are often seen on court together. The duo has combined to average 25.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game this season.
Unlike in years past, the Badgers don’t have the height or the experience to match up well on the defensive end. If Haap can stand up and produce a good defensive effort, the Badgers can stay in this contest.
He’ll also need to showcase the moves down low we’ve seen him show off in non-conference play. Haap and the rest of the freshmen group will get a quick test in what it means to compete at the top of the Big Ten, will it pass the test or fail? Either way, the Badgers are about to learn a lot about themselves real quick in conference play.
3 Numbers to Know:
—5: Wisconsin has lost three home games this season by a combined five points. In all three of those losses it has had a chance for a game-winning field goal go array. Wisconsin is also going for win No. 5 in a row over the Boilermakers, following a pair of wins last season.
—12: Greg Gard and the youthful Badgers will have a lot to live up to, as Wisconsin has won its last 12 Big Ten openers. UW has won 15 of the last 16 conference home openers dating back to 1999-2000 with the only loss coming in a 72-65 setback to Iowa on Dec. 31, 2011.
—6-4: As the Badgers have dominated Big Ten openers and home openers in specific, it’s been pretty opposite for Purdue in the 10-year career of head coach Matt Painter. He’s just 6-4 over that stretch, but has won five of the last six openers overall, including two road wins against Michigan and Iowa in 2010 and 2011.
Prediction: Purdue 78, Wisconsin 68
This one has bad news written all over it for the Badgers. Not only is there a 7-foot 1-2 punch problem to deal with, the Badgers are also going to have to find a way to stop what has been the most productive freshman in the Big Ten during non-conference play — Caleb Swanigan.
If the Badgers can find a way to win a rebounding game that looks very difficult to do (Purdue has a +12 rebounding edge), this could be an intriguing matchup. That will be easier said than done with a lineup so inexperienced.
It also means trusting two players that haven’t really shown up consistently — juniors Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig. Should both get going on the scoring front in Greg Gard’s more structured offense, then it would be a whole new ball game.
Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s two stars have been wildly inconsistent all season long. It all adds up to a team in a major disadvantage against one of the most intriguing contenders for a Big Ten title this season.
The post Badgers basketball Preview: Purdue edition appeared first on Madtown Badgers.
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