NFL
By: Melo Williams
No. 11 Wisconsin (20-5, 10-4 Big Ten) host its rival Illinois (17-9, 9-7 Big Ten) at the Kohl Center Tuesday night in a key Big Ten pivotal game for both teams.
Wisconsin improved to (20-5, 10-4) following a 94-84 win at Purdue on Saturday.
Wisconsin has won 12 of its last 14 games, including 10 of its last 12 Big Ten games, 8-2 in their last 10 games, and currently on a 4-game winning streak.
Illinois lost at home to Michigan State 79-65 on Saturday. Illinois is 5-5 in their last 10 games, but 3-2 in their last 5 games.
Not only did the Illini lose the game, unfortunately they also lost big man Morez Johnson Jr. after blocking a shot falling breaking his wrist though he finished the game.
The Kohl Center is usually the Badgers best friend, however when playing the Illini it hasn’t mattered the venue.
Illinois has won 9-straight games against Wisconsin, last winning the December matchup 86-80.
The Badgers last win against the Illini came January 8, 2020. Dating back to February 2010, Wisconsin is 16-12 versus Illinois.
Ever since the December loss to Illinois, Wisconsin has been playing some of the best basketball in the country.
Heading into Tuesday’s night matchup the Badgers are looking to even the series extending is winning streak to 5 games.
For Wisconsin to win the game the Badgers will have to defend the perimeter and the paint better while winning the rebounding battle.
Losing Morez Johnson Jr is a huge blow however Illinois is one of the better rebounding teams in the country.
Steven Crowl finished the game in December with zero rebounds and that can’t happen again. Both Crowl and Nolan Winter will have to get physical and play big like Illinois big man Tomislav Ivisic plays.
Ivisic pulled down 11 rebounds in the first meeting. Crowl and Winter both need at least 6 rebounds apiece tonight.
It’ll be a shoot-out between Illinois’s Kasparas Jakucionis (16 PPG) and Wisconsin’s John Tonje (19.2 PPG) as both are two of the best scorers in the Big Ten.
John Blackwell will need to stay out of trouble.
The last stretch of games, Blackwell has found himself sitting a lot in the first half of games due to foul trouble.
Not only will John Blackwell defense be needed but his offense mainly his dribble drive downhill ability attacking the defense. Blackwell can finish at the rim but is a solid passer on the kickout pass when the defense collapses.
Max Klesmit must continue to be the player that he’s been for the Badgers all season.
Klesmit has emerged as the playmaker for Greg Gard on offense leading the team in assists with 3 per game. Max has become comfortable making plays while still defending one of the opposing teams best perimeter players, and knowing when the team need him to knock down some shots.
The energy and defensive prowess of Kamari McGee, Carter Gilmore, and Jack Janicki will need to be exactly that defending Illinois and contributing points as well.
Last time out Illinois Tre White and Kylan Boswell hurt the Badgers.
White scored 23 points (75% FG, 66% 3FG) along with 8 rebounds and 1 block. White is averaging 9.5 points per game while shooting 47% from the field.
Boswell tallied 19 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.
Rebounds, minimal turnovers, bench scoring, and time of possession are all key points for Wisconsin to get its first victory against Illinois since 2020.
TEAMS PER GAME STATS
ILLINOIS WISCONSIN
84.3 PPG 81.5 PPG
44.3 RPG 35.6 RPG
14.7 APG 15.0 APG
4.5 SPG 5.0 APG
4.3 BPG 2.2 BPG
44% FG 46% FG
31% 3FG 36.6% 3FG
PREDICTION: Wisconsin wins
GAME NOTES
Place: Kohl Center
Time: 7:30 PM CST
TV: FS1
