Wisconsin (3-1) will look to follow up its impressive victory over Marquette last weekend with another strong showing against UW-Green Bay (1-2) at the Kohl Center on Thursday evening.
The Phoenix’s only victory so far this season wasn’t exactly impressive, as it came against a Division III opponent in UW-Stout. However, head coach Linc Darner’s squad gave a New Mexico team that is expected to contend in the Mountain West a solid fight in what was ultimately a losing effort the last time out.
The Badgers easily dispatched of Green Bay when these two programs last met in 2017, but the Phoenix have been a tough out for Wisconsin in the past and could prove difficult to put away again this season with a deep and experienced team that could compete for a Horizon League title this year.
Here are the three players on the other side who Badger fans should keep a close eye on throughout Thursday’s contest.
1. JayQuan McCloud – Guard
2019 stats: 13.7 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 54.5 2P%, 18.2 3P%
Green Bay’s leading returning scorer from a year ago, McCloud has met expectations and stepped up as Darner’s top weapon this season.
The former Second Team All-American at the junior college level made an instant impact in his first season with the Phoenix in 2018-19, trailing only Sandy Cohen in scoring and hitting double figures in 25 of 36 games. McCloud has parlayed that success into a strong start this year, leading the team in both scoring and assists.
The 6-2 senior is a multi-dimensional scorer who can get to the rim and knock down shots from beyond the arc. McCloud’s three-point shooting has been cold through Green Bay’s first three games, but that figures to come around sooner rather than later given that he’s at 37.2 percent for his career and shot 39.3 percent last season.
2. Kameron Hankerson – Guard
2019 stats: 11.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.7 rpg, 37.9 2P%, 40.0 3P%
Hankerson was a preseason Second Team All-Horizon League selection prior to last season after averaging 10.7 points as a sophomore, but his production ultimately regressed a bit throughout his junior season.
Fortunately for the Phoenix, he has experienced a revival so far this year. The 6-5 senior is third on the team with a career-high 11.3 points per game and ranks second in assists. Hankerson also brings some nice size and length to Darner’s backcourt and will likely be tasked with locking up Kobe King.
3. PJ Pipes – Guard
2019 stats: 13.3 ppg, 2.0 apg, 3.7 rpg, 2.3 spg, 70.0 2P%, 50.0 3P%
Pipes is the third member of Green Bay’s trio of studs in the backcourt. The 6-2 guard is a standout on both ends of the court, leading the Phoenix in steals and ranking second and third in scoring and assists, respectively.
Similarly to McCloud, Pipes is a versatile scorer that can both get to the basket and drill long-range shots. He’s lights-out from the free-throw line (82.8 percent for his career) and is off to a hot start from three-point land this season (8-16).