Purdue (10-9, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its second consecutive game in a row as they fell to Illinois at home, marking the second home loss by Purdue this season. That may not be good news for Wisconsin (12-7, 5-3) considering the Badgers have struggled to win in Mackey Arena. The Badgers have only won 18 games in West Lafayette in program history with their last win coming in 2014.
In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play Purdue on Friday.
LAYUP: CAN WISCONSIN BUILD OFF OF THEIR PERFORMANCE FROM THREE?
Wisconsin shot the basketball lights out from three against Nebraska as they finished the game 18-for-34 (52.9 percent) from three. The 18 made three’s set a new team record for most made three’s in a game breaking the previous mark of 17.
It is unfair to expect Wisconsin to shoot the basketball that well again from three especially on the road. But the Badgers will have to shoot it better than they were in the five previous games prior to Nebraska, the Badgers shot a combined 27-for-99 (27.2 percent) from three over that stretch.
During Big Ten play Wisconsin is shooting 34.7 percent (61-for-176) from three, which ranks fourth in the conference. On the flip side for Purdue defensively they are allowing their Big Ten opponents to shoot 31.1 percent (55-for-177) from three.
Purdue is allowing an average of 6.8 made three’s a game and if Wisconsin struggles to consistently generate a post touch against the Boilermakers then the Badgers will need to be ready to knock down there three’s in order to help open up the lane.