The stakes couldn’t be higher in the Big Ten finale for Indiana and Wisconsin.
Winners of seven in a row, the Badgers arrive with a chance to earn a share of the Big Ten regular season title.
The Hoosiers meanwhile can seemingly lock down their first NCAA Tournament invite since 2016. That would be the first appearance in the event for outgoing seniors Devonte Green and De’Ron Davis. Both players will be recognized after the game.
Whether addition by subtraction, or addition by addition, Wisconsin has been playing much better over the last month. That’s a scary thought for Indiana when considering how the Badgers dominated IU three months ago.
Kobe King, who scored 24 points in the first meeting, is no longer with the team. Micah Potter has since joined the Badger roster and has made an immediate impact.
Wisconsin looks different since the conference opener, and the Hoosiers will be looking for a different outcome as the league slate comes full circle in Bloomington.
GAME DAY ESSENTIALS
Wisconsin (20-10, 13-6) at Indiana (19-11, 9-10)
- Tip time: Saturday / Noon ET
- Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222), Bloomington, Ind.
- Television: ESPN (Stream)
- Series: Indiana leads 97-76 (Last meeting: Wisconsin won 84-64, 12/07/19)
- Point Spread: Vegas likes IU by around 2 points. KenPom likes IU by 2.
- Tickets (Seat Geek affiliate link)
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Wisconsin Statistical Leaders
POINTS
- Nate Reuvers (F) 12.9 ppg
- D’Mitrik Trice (G) 10.0 ppg
REBOUNDS
- Micah Potter (F) 6.0 rpg
- Reuvers, Ford, Davison 4.4 rpg
ASSISTS
- D’Mitrik Trice (G) 4.2 apg
STEALS
- D’Mitrik Trice (G) .8 spg
BLOCKS
- Nate Reuvers (F) 1.9 bpg
Highlights from the first meeting
A look at KenPom No. 25 Wisconsin’s noteworthy metrics vs. No. 34 Indiana
A methodical offense. Of course this one comes as no surprise. The Badgers are known for slowing things down when they have the ball and this year is no exception. Wisconsin is No. 347 in the country with an average possession length of 20.1 seconds.
No giveaways. Another signature Wisconsin attribute is not turning over the basketball. With a 13.9 percent turnover rate in Big Ten games the Badgers are No. 2 in the league protecting the ball.
No second chances. While the Badgers are also well known for their tap-outs creating second chance opportunities on the offensive end, this year Wisconsin is garnering just 23 percent of their own misses. That is No. 12 in league play and a percentage that has dropped since the addition of the 6-foot-10 Potter.
In love with the three. What does Wisconsin get out of their slow offense? Rotations and reversals that lead to open shooters. 44.1 percent of the Badgers’ shots are from three, the second highest mark in Big Ten play. Wisconsin is also second in converting from distance, making 35.9 percent of their attempts. Potter leads the Badgers at 45.8 percent from behind the arc, and three others (Brad Davison, Brevin Pritzl and D’Mitrik Trice) shoot 34.9 percent or better from long range.
Top 100 player rankings:
- Nate Reuvers has a 7.6 percent block percentage, good for No. 58 in the country.
- D’Mitrik Trice rarely fouls, with just 1.5 fouls per 40 minutes.
- Brad Davison has a 10.8 turnover percentage (No. 97) and he makes 86.3 percent of his free throws (No. 69).
- Brevin Pritzl has a 9.7 turnover percentage (No. 53).
ADDITIONAL GAME COVERAGE
– Miller, Green and Davis preview senior day and Wisconsin
SENIOR DAY VIDEOS
Saturday is the final home game for Indiana seniors De’Ron Davis, Devonte Green and walk-on Adrian Chapman.
At forward – a 6’10 senior from Park Hill, Colorado.
🗣 DE’RON DAVIS pic.twitter.com/mjtXI3AOzU
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) March 7, 2020
At guard – a 6’3 senior from North Babylon, New York.
🗣 DEVONTE GREEN pic.twitter.com/iyzzITxy5d
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) March 7, 2020
At guard – a 6’2 senior from Brownsburg, Indiana.
🗣ADRIAN CHAPMAN pic.twitter.com/z1ahT3qHKQ
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) March 7, 2020
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