Previewing No. 14 Wisconsin Basketball vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

No. 14 Wisconsin Basketball vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview

The No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers (11-2, 3-0 Big Ten) will hit the road to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (9-5, 0-3 Big Ten) at The State Farm Center on Saturday afternoon. 

UW has won six straight games and is fresh off a 63-60 victory over the Minnesota Gophers at The Kohl Center. As a result, the Badgers are now 3-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2014-15. 

Illinois, on the other hand, dropped its most recent contest on the road against Northwestern, dropping them to 0-3 in Big Ten play. Despite their collection of talent, the Fighting Illini are still battling inconsistencies and failed to win back-to-back games in December.

In addition, Greg Gard is 7-4 against Illinois since becoming the head coach of the Wisconsin basketball program.

Notable KenPom Rankings:

Wisconsin Basketball: No. 48 ranked team, No. 21 in ADJ Defense, No. 8 in turnover%, and No. 19 in 3-point%.

Illinois Basketball: No. 40 ranked team, No. 31 in ADJ Defense, No. 14 in 2P%, and No. 28 offensive rebound%.

Illinois Basketball Projected Starters:

PG: Terrence Shannon Jr. (17.1 PPG, 3.2 APG)

Guard: Sencire Harris (4.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG)

Wing: Matthew Mayer (10.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG)

Forward: Coleman Hawkins (9.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG)

Forward: Dain Dainja (10.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG) 

Wisconsin Basketball Projected Starters:

PG: Chucky Hepburn (12.2 PPG, 3.0 APG)

Guard: Max Klesmit (6.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG)

Guard: Jordan Davis (7.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG)

Forward: Tyler Wahl (13.2 RPG, 6.4 RPG)

Center: Steven Crowl (11.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG)

Something to Watch

All eyes will be on the star of the Wisconsin basketball program, Tyler Wahl. Against Minnesota, the 6-foot-9 forward suffered an ankle injury that forced him out of the game, leaving his status in question for Saturday’s contest. 

If he’s unable to go, junior forward Carter Gilmore will step into the starting lineup, with Markus Ilver filling in off the bench. 

The game kicks off at 12:30 PM CT on ESPN2.

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