JBB #2 Pittsburgh @ #5 Wisconsin

This should be a real good non-conference matchup. Wisconsin and Pitt play very similar styles of basketball, with tough defense and smart, efficient offense. Pitt's best player, center Aaron Gray, is sick and may not play. He figures to be limited if he does suit up, and the Badgers will also need to D up on Pitt's talented array of three point shooters. Wisconsin has struggled stopping teams from getting 3s this season, and must do a better job with Pitt's offensive focus likely shifting to the perimeter. Pitt will need to contain Wisconsin's Alando Tucker, who has been hotter than hot his last three games. The Badgers must get some perimeter scoring, though, to keep Pitt's stout defense from collapsing all over Tucker.

This game should be a grinding, physical battle. I think that it will be close all the way, but Pitt's superior three point shooting will be tough for the Badgers to stop late.

Pittsburgh 68 Wisconsin 64

 

#5 At #5?????


I am pretty sure its #2 at #7

and yes this will be a great game. I read online that Aaron Gray has the flu and might not play........but on this stage I am sure he will give it all he has got. Stiesman will be a big factor cause he has a big defensive over Butch for the Badgers.

Badgers 72
Panthers 71

 

JBB ranked Wisconsin #5 in our poll, so I used that

Well, where to start?

Wisconsin wins 89-75, and led by 10+ for the entire second half. I've never seen such a complete effort from the Badgers. Brian Butch showed us all what he can do when he decides to play aggressive and tough basketball. Sadly, that's probably the best game he will ever play. Tucker was a STUD, once again. 32 points and 10 boards against the #2 team in the country. And I read 4 major national preseason previews that did not have him on either their 1st or 2nd All-American teams. Buh. Kam Taylor actually made some big shots; it'd sure be a boost if he could step up like that a little more often. We didn't really get that much production from our younger guys, but we didn't need them with Tucker, Butch and Taylor combining for 73 points and 24 boards.

We got our offense in a variety of ways, too, which is really encouraging. We haven't shot it all that well from deep this season, and to see the guys knocking down 20+ foot jumpers has to give them confidence. We did a great job of matching Pitt's toughness and rebounding, too. This game truly showcased the absolute best of the Badgers; we played as good a game as we will all year, and for once everyone in the country got to see it. Outstanding win for Bucky, and a big momentum-builder heading down the stretch of our non-conference schedule.

<font size=""7""><font color=""Red"">GO BUCKY!</font></font>

 

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKY


Landry once again played a fine game on the defensive end with a couple of blocks. Stiesma struggled a little bit on offense......but a win is a win and this win is a BIG WIN!