Previewing No. 11 Wisconsin vs. Penn State

The No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers (17-4, 8-3 Big Ten) return home to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (9-9, 4-6 Big Ten) at the Kohl Center on Saturday.

The No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers (17-4, 8-3 Big Ten) return home to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (9-9, 4-6 Big Ten) at the Kohl Center on Saturday.

The Badgers have won eight of their last ten games, most recently coming off a 80-67 loss on the road against No. 18 Illinois on Wednesday.

Penn State on the other hand is coming off a double overtime win over Iowa, ending a three game losing streak. The Nittany Lions are still in search of their first ever win at the Kohl Center, going 0-17 since its conception. This is a balanced team that lives and dies by the three, and is 2-8 when held under 66 points.

The Badgers are led by National Player of the Year candidate Johnny Davis, along with veterans Brad Davison and Tyler Wahl. The trio currently accounts for 66% of the team’s overall scoring output.

It’s also worth noting that Greg Gard has a 8-1 record against Penn State as head coach of the Badgers.

 

Notable KenPom Rankings:

Wisconsin: 28th ranked team, 35th in ADJ Offense, 1st in turnover%.

Penn State: 82nd ranked team, 60th in ADJ Defense, 349th in ADJ Tempo.

 

Penn State projected starters:

Guard: Jalen Pickett (13.3 ppg, 4.2 apg)

Guard: Sam Sessoms (11.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Forward: Seth Lundy (13.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Forward: Greg Lee (7.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg)

Forward: John Harrar (10.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg)

 

Wisconsin projected starters:

Guard: Chucky Hepburn (7.3 ppg, 2.0 apg)

Guard: Brad Davison (15.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

Guard: Johnny Davis (21.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg)

Forward: Tyler Wahl (11.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Center: Steven Crowl (9.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

 

Wisconsin is (17-2) when scoring 61 or more points, while losing both of the games that they failed to reach that mark.

UW is 10-1 this season in games decided by six or fewer points. Their lone loss in a six point game came against Providence without Davis in the lineup. The Badgers are also 3-0 in one possession games.

The Badgers tip off at 5PM CT. on BTN..

 

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.