Tom's preview:
https://iowa.n.rivals.com/news/hawkeye-tip-time-21
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Wisconsin Badgers (17-10, 9-5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (20-6, 11-3)
Tip Time: 8:06 p.m.
TV: BTN – Kevin Kugler, Shon Morris, and Lisa Byington on the call.
Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
History: The Badgers own an 82-79 advantage in the closely contested all-time series between the two schools. Wisconsin has won the last five meetings, sweeping the Hawkeyes last year. The Badgers won the last meeting in Iowa City, 70-66. Iowa does hold a 50-28 advantage in games played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and they have split the last four home games against Wisconsin. Fran McCaffery is 3-7 against Wisconsin. This will be the first time Greg Gard faces the Hawkeyes as the head coach of the Badgers.
THE LINE: Iowa is an 7.5 point favorite.
THE LINEUPS
WISCONSIN
Vitto Brown - 9.3 ppg
Ethan Happ – 12.1 ppg
Nigel Hayes – 16.7 ppg
Bronson Koenig – 13.4 ppg
Zak Showalter – 9.3 ppg
IOWA
Adam Woodbury – 8.3 ppg
Jarrod Uthoff – 18.8 ppg
Peter Jok – 16.3 ppg
Anthony Clemmons – 9.0 ppg
Mike Gesell – 8.5 ppg
PLAYER TO WATCH
Vitto Brown – This might seem like an odd choice, but as the Badgers have made a strong push in the second half of the Big Ten schedule, it’s been Brown’s emergence offensively that has made a huge difference in the Wisconsin attack. After a number of double figure scoring games in the non-conference portion of the schedule, he cooled off and the Badgers got off to an uncharacteristically slow start in Big Ten play. In the last nine games, eight of which have been wins, Brown is averaging over 10 points per game, including scoring 21 in their victory at Maryland. The big aspect of his game that has improved is his three point shooting. In the past eight games he has made 10-24 three pointers (41%) including two games where he made 3 three pointers.
KEY MATCH-UP
Jarrod Uthoff vs. Nigel Hayes – Any time you have two almost certain first team All Big Ten players on the floor and facing each other, it’s a marquee match-up. Throw in the fact that Uthoff was one a member of the Wisconsin team and is potentially facing the Badgers for the final time, that adds even more intrigue to this game and the head to head battle. Uthoff is 2nd in league play in scoring at 19.4 ppg, while Hayes is 7th in scoring in conference games only at 17.1 ppg. Both are versatile forwards who can not only shoot the three ball, but get to the basket with the dribble and finish at the rim. Hayes might have a slight edge in strength, while Uthoff has the advantage in length. Expect Hayes to follow the newly established pattern of trying to get underneath Uthoff when he is guarding him and the challenge for Uthoff will be to try and keep away from contact and potential foul trouble, and limit Hayes on the offensive glass.
STATS AND NOTES
They are currently ranked 8th in both the Associated Press Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll. Wednesday night’s game is the annual Black and Gold Spirit game where Iowa fans depending on their section will be asked to wear either black or gold. Iowa students are encouraged to wear gold. Jarrod Uthoff is one of 20 players on the late season Wooden Award Watch list. Uthoff has scored 1,164 career points, which is good for 28th on Iowa’s all-time list. He is also 4th on Iowa’s all-time blocks list with 165 career blocks. This season, Uthoff has blocked 75 shots, which is the 7th best total for a single season in Iowa Basketball history. Mike Gesell recently scored his 1,000th career point. Gesell currently has 1,026 points, which is 44th on Iowa’s all-time list. He also recently handed out his 500th assist. He currently has 513 assists and is four assists behind B.J. Armstrong for 4th on Iowa’s all-time list. Iowa has won 16 straight home games dating back to last season. Iowa is 2-1 in games played on Wednesday night this season. The Hawkeyes are 10-1 this year when they play on the Big Ten Network.
THE PICK
A month ago this looked like an easy win for the Hawkeyes. Wisconsin was struggling for the first time in a long time in Big Ten play and Iowa was rolling along beating just about everyone by double figures. But, that was a month ago and as you might expect, the Hawkeyes have cooled off a bit as teams figured out how to slow down Iowa’s attack and the Badgers have caught fire, winning eight of their last nine and playing their way back into the NCAA Tournament.
Now, you throw in the fact that Wisconsin has won five straight against the Hawkeyes and the possible last meeting of Jarrod Uthoff against his former team, plus Iowa needs this one if they are going to win their first Big Ten title since 1979 and you have plenty of intriguing storylines.
The two teams are mirror images when it comes to riding their starters quite a bit. Hayes averages 36 minutes a game and Koenig plays 34 minutes a game. Iowa will ride their starters as well and have been doing more of that in the last two weeks. Neither bench is very consistent or has big scoring options, but honestly that could end up deciding the game if someone were to come off the bench and contribute double figures. Iowa would certainly benefit from a bigger night from the bench than the six points a game they have been averaging.
Really this comes down to the starters. While Bo Ryan now longer coaches the Badgers, Greg Gard hasn’t changed a whole lot from what Wisconsin has done in the past. They might to a few different things offensively, but they will still run the swing offense and look to get mismatches and their bigs are going to pound the glass. Rebounding will be very important in this one for Iowa.
Fran McCaffery was asked this week about what he wants to see his team do a better job of on Wednesday and he said one simple word, “defense”. Iowa has to get back to creating a few more turnovers and cutting down on opposing teams being able to get in the lane with ease. It’s really that simply for Iowa.
How will this one play out? Wisconsin is looking for another signature win on the road. They picked one up at Maryland and that probably got them back into the mix for the NCAA Tournament this year. A win at Iowa would probably lock up their spot in the tournament. For Iowa, it’s simple, win Wednesday and the dream of a Big Ten title is still very much alive.
Wisconsin is never going to be an easy out for any team. They just don’t beat themselves and they are shooting the ball much better than they were earlier in the season. More importantly, I think they have figured out their roles. Happ is probably the freshman of the year in the Big Ten and Hayes is a first team All Big Ten player. For Wisconsin to win, they will need a big game from a guy like Koenig and/or Brown. For Iowa, they have been riding Uthoff and Jok for too much scoring in the past two weeks. They need Clemmons, Gesell, Woodbury, and either Baer or Uhl to bring more offense to the table. I think the Badgers give a great effort, but I think the message from Fran McCaffery has been received and Iowa’s defense comes up with a strong performance, especially late.IOWA 71 WISCONSIN 64
https://iowa.n.rivals.com/news/hawkeye-tip-time-21
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Wisconsin Badgers (17-10, 9-5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (20-6, 11-3)
Tip Time: 8:06 p.m.
TV: BTN – Kevin Kugler, Shon Morris, and Lisa Byington on the call.
Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
History: The Badgers own an 82-79 advantage in the closely contested all-time series between the two schools. Wisconsin has won the last five meetings, sweeping the Hawkeyes last year. The Badgers won the last meeting in Iowa City, 70-66. Iowa does hold a 50-28 advantage in games played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and they have split the last four home games against Wisconsin. Fran McCaffery is 3-7 against Wisconsin. This will be the first time Greg Gard faces the Hawkeyes as the head coach of the Badgers.
THE LINE: Iowa is an 7.5 point favorite.
THE LINEUPS
WISCONSIN
Vitto Brown - 9.3 ppg
Ethan Happ – 12.1 ppg
Nigel Hayes – 16.7 ppg
Bronson Koenig – 13.4 ppg
Zak Showalter – 9.3 ppg
IOWA
Adam Woodbury – 8.3 ppg
Jarrod Uthoff – 18.8 ppg
Peter Jok – 16.3 ppg
Anthony Clemmons – 9.0 ppg
Mike Gesell – 8.5 ppg
PLAYER TO WATCH
Vitto Brown – This might seem like an odd choice, but as the Badgers have made a strong push in the second half of the Big Ten schedule, it’s been Brown’s emergence offensively that has made a huge difference in the Wisconsin attack. After a number of double figure scoring games in the non-conference portion of the schedule, he cooled off and the Badgers got off to an uncharacteristically slow start in Big Ten play. In the last nine games, eight of which have been wins, Brown is averaging over 10 points per game, including scoring 21 in their victory at Maryland. The big aspect of his game that has improved is his three point shooting. In the past eight games he has made 10-24 three pointers (41%) including two games where he made 3 three pointers.
KEY MATCH-UP
Jarrod Uthoff vs. Nigel Hayes – Any time you have two almost certain first team All Big Ten players on the floor and facing each other, it’s a marquee match-up. Throw in the fact that Uthoff was one a member of the Wisconsin team and is potentially facing the Badgers for the final time, that adds even more intrigue to this game and the head to head battle. Uthoff is 2nd in league play in scoring at 19.4 ppg, while Hayes is 7th in scoring in conference games only at 17.1 ppg. Both are versatile forwards who can not only shoot the three ball, but get to the basket with the dribble and finish at the rim. Hayes might have a slight edge in strength, while Uthoff has the advantage in length. Expect Hayes to follow the newly established pattern of trying to get underneath Uthoff when he is guarding him and the challenge for Uthoff will be to try and keep away from contact and potential foul trouble, and limit Hayes on the offensive glass.
STATS AND NOTES
They are currently ranked 8th in both the Associated Press Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll. Wednesday night’s game is the annual Black and Gold Spirit game where Iowa fans depending on their section will be asked to wear either black or gold. Iowa students are encouraged to wear gold. Jarrod Uthoff is one of 20 players on the late season Wooden Award Watch list. Uthoff has scored 1,164 career points, which is good for 28th on Iowa’s all-time list. He is also 4th on Iowa’s all-time blocks list with 165 career blocks. This season, Uthoff has blocked 75 shots, which is the 7th best total for a single season in Iowa Basketball history. Mike Gesell recently scored his 1,000th career point. Gesell currently has 1,026 points, which is 44th on Iowa’s all-time list. He also recently handed out his 500th assist. He currently has 513 assists and is four assists behind B.J. Armstrong for 4th on Iowa’s all-time list. Iowa has won 16 straight home games dating back to last season. Iowa is 2-1 in games played on Wednesday night this season. The Hawkeyes are 10-1 this year when they play on the Big Ten Network.
THE PICK
A month ago this looked like an easy win for the Hawkeyes. Wisconsin was struggling for the first time in a long time in Big Ten play and Iowa was rolling along beating just about everyone by double figures. But, that was a month ago and as you might expect, the Hawkeyes have cooled off a bit as teams figured out how to slow down Iowa’s attack and the Badgers have caught fire, winning eight of their last nine and playing their way back into the NCAA Tournament.
Now, you throw in the fact that Wisconsin has won five straight against the Hawkeyes and the possible last meeting of Jarrod Uthoff against his former team, plus Iowa needs this one if they are going to win their first Big Ten title since 1979 and you have plenty of intriguing storylines.
The two teams are mirror images when it comes to riding their starters quite a bit. Hayes averages 36 minutes a game and Koenig plays 34 minutes a game. Iowa will ride their starters as well and have been doing more of that in the last two weeks. Neither bench is very consistent or has big scoring options, but honestly that could end up deciding the game if someone were to come off the bench and contribute double figures. Iowa would certainly benefit from a bigger night from the bench than the six points a game they have been averaging.
Really this comes down to the starters. While Bo Ryan now longer coaches the Badgers, Greg Gard hasn’t changed a whole lot from what Wisconsin has done in the past. They might to a few different things offensively, but they will still run the swing offense and look to get mismatches and their bigs are going to pound the glass. Rebounding will be very important in this one for Iowa.
Fran McCaffery was asked this week about what he wants to see his team do a better job of on Wednesday and he said one simple word, “defense”. Iowa has to get back to creating a few more turnovers and cutting down on opposing teams being able to get in the lane with ease. It’s really that simply for Iowa.
How will this one play out? Wisconsin is looking for another signature win on the road. They picked one up at Maryland and that probably got them back into the mix for the NCAA Tournament this year. A win at Iowa would probably lock up their spot in the tournament. For Iowa, it’s simple, win Wednesday and the dream of a Big Ten title is still very much alive.
Wisconsin is never going to be an easy out for any team. They just don’t beat themselves and they are shooting the ball much better than they were earlier in the season. More importantly, I think they have figured out their roles. Happ is probably the freshman of the year in the Big Ten and Hayes is a first team All Big Ten player. For Wisconsin to win, they will need a big game from a guy like Koenig and/or Brown. For Iowa, they have been riding Uthoff and Jok for too much scoring in the past two weeks. They need Clemmons, Gesell, Woodbury, and either Baer or Uhl to bring more offense to the table. I think the Badgers give a great effort, but I think the message from Fran McCaffery has been received and Iowa’s defense comes up with a strong performance, especially late.IOWA 71 WISCONSIN 64
