Wisconsin (8-5) hits the road to Columbus to take on No. 5 Ohio State (11-2) on Friday evening. The Badgers are seeking their second win in a row against the Buckeyes after taking them down in a 73-67 overtime thriller in the most recent meeting between these squads last March.
Bucky has won three in a row leading into tomorrow’s matchup, most recently pummelling Rider at home on New Year’s Eve in a 65-37 decision. Meanwhile, Ohio State has to be considered one of the best teams in the nation at the moment based on its body of work so far this season. Head coach Chris Holtmann’s Buckeyes started the season 9-0 before falling to Minnesota on Dec. 15. They’ve gone 2-1 since that loss, including a win over No. 6 Kentucky and a 67-59 loss at home to No. 22 West Virginia last Sunday.
Tomorrow’s matchup will be the toughest challenge the Badgers have been presented to this point in the season. Ohio State looks like the class of the Big Ten right now, boasting one of the deepest rotations in the country with eight players averaging at least 7.6 points per game.
Here are the three players on the other side who Badger fans should keep a close eye on throughout Friday evening’s contest.
Kaleb Wesson – Forward
Current stats: 14.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.4 bpg, 44.1 FG%, 44.2 3P%
There are quite a few talented players on this Ohio State squad, but Wesson is probably the only one who can be considered a true star at this point. The 6-9, 270-pound junior has enjoyed a fantastic career in Columbus so far, evolving from a 2018 Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection to an honorable mention all-conference performer last season, with first or second-team honors likely on their way this year.
Wesson has been Ohio State’s leading scorer for the second season in a row, putting up double figures in all but the Buckeyes’ first game. He’s also pacing the team in both rebounds and blocks.
He didn’t play in last year’s matchup with Wisconsin due to a suspension but was dominant against the Badgers as a freshman in 2017, scoring 19 points in just 17 minutes. With his ability to both wear down opposing big men in the post and drag them out to the perimeter as a capable three-point shooter, Wesson could give Nate Reuvers and Micah Potter some headaches tomorrow.
D.J. Carton – Guard
Current stats: 10.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 51.6 FG%, 38.9 3P%
Many Badger fans are probably already familiar with Carton, who was heavily pursued by Greg Gard and company on the recruiting trail in the class of 2019. Wisconsin was among the first programs to identify the 6-2 point guard’s considerable talent and offer him a scholarship, and the belief was early on that Bucky would be a top contender for the Bettendorf, Iowa native’s services.
Unfortunately, not long after Wisconsin extended the offer, other schools caught on and his list of suitors exploded. Carton proceeded to spurn the Badgers relatively quickly afterward, surprisingly not even including them in his Top 6 cut list.
Finishing his high school career as a four-star recruit and the nation’s fourth-ranked floor general, Carton has lived up to those lofty expectations so far this season. He’s been a dynamic playmaker off the bench for the Buckeyes, ranking third on the team in points and second in assists per game. His two-point field goal percentage is good for No. 13 in the Big Ten, and he also knocks in nearly 39 percent of his shots from long range.
Carton recently had the best performance of his young career against Kentucky, earning Big Ten Player of the Week honors for his 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal against the Wildcats.
Duane Washington Jr. – Guard
Current stats: 11.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 48.8 FG%, 49.0 3P%
Currently sitting as Ohio State’s second-leading scorer, Washington’s primary purpose when he is in the game is to get buckets. The sophomore guard has been one of the Big Ten’s deadliest shooters this season when he’s on, especially from long range, where he is knocking down a sizzling 49 percent of his looks. That’s the third-best mark in the conference.
Washington has been coming off the bench since returning from a rib injury that forced him to sit out a couple of games, but even if he doesn’t start against the Badgers, you can be sure that he will still be a focal point of Wisconsin’s game plan tomorrow with his knock-down shooting ability.