Wisconsin Basketball: 3 Keys to a Badgers Victory vs. Nebraska

After an 81-66 win over Michigan State Friday night, Wisconsin basketball has enjoyed a short break in action. They return tonight for a road battle against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Badgers won the first game in Madison 88-72 on January 6 thanks to shooting 55% from the field and 50% from three.

This won’t be ab easy test as Lincoln has become a tough place to play in the Big Ten. Can Wisconsin basketball earn their seventh quad one win on the resume? Tip time is 7:30 PM on BTN. Here are the keys to victory tonight.

Wisconsin Basketball Has to Play Through the Crowd Noise

If you have watched Nebraska basketball over the last year or so, this is becoming one of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten and the country. I would put Nebraska up with the RAC (Rutgers) and Mackey Arena (Purdue) as the three toughest venues to play in the Big Ten. Nebraska plays so well at home as they are 13-1 on the year, compared to only 1-5 on the road.

In their last five home games, the Cornhuskers have scored at least 75 points. Just like Wisconsin basketball is scoring it well at home, Nebraska always seems to be hot from the field on their home court. The Badgers are definitely walking into a tough atmosphere.

Now that Wisconsin basketball is ranked sixth in country, this will likely become an even louder crowd. Nebraska is a bubble team. Based on their home and road split, tonight is likely their last chance to get a signature home win.

Defense Will be the Deciding Factor

I think Greg Gard and this Wisconsin basketball team will tell you they did not play very well on the defensive side in the first meeting. Nebraska shot 49% from the field. Granted some of the shots they made were late in the game and contested very well, I thought they let the Cornhuskers get a little too comfortable from the field in the second half.

There is no way that can happen tonight, If the Badgers let Nebraska shoot early and unconested, this is a team that can push 80-90 points easily. Just look at their Purdue game January 9. They scored 88 points against a good defensive team with Zach Edey on the court.

Winning the 50/50 Plays

Winning any road game is tough, especially in the Big Ten. If you look a a player like Sam Hoiberg from Nebraska, he’s not the best player on the floor. However, he is always around the ball looking for ways to make a play.

Any loose ball in the air and on the floor has to be won by the Badgers. If you give a team like Nebraska second chance points in their building, I guarantee you will pay for it.

I do believe Wisconsin basketball can go into Lincoln tonight and get a win. I think it would be their best road win of the season. Just don’t expect a blow out like the first meeting. This will be an entertaining game and good test for this tea.

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