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

After a 78-66 win against Rutgers to end the home portion of the schedule, Wisconsin basketball concludes their regular season tomorrow against Purdue. The Boilermakers have already won the Big Ten conference title and have likely locked up a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Badgers have some work to do before the NCAA Tournament. They will know their seeding for the conference tournament tomorrow night as well. Can Wisconsin basketball avenge a 75-69 loss to Purdue earlier this year in Madison? Tip time is 11:30 AM on FOX. Here are the keys to victory in West Lafayette.

Wisconsin Basketball Needs to Be Aware of Purdue’s Role Players

I thought Wisconsin basketball did a great job defending Zach Edey in the first meeting. The assumed National Player of the Year only had 18 points. I thought the Badgers should have let Edey have his points and to take away the role players. It was a little surprising they dared Purdue’s very good outside shooters beat them. They did as Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, and Lance Jones combined for 51 points.

Purdue is an elite shooting team at him. They can beat any team and run them off the court if they get hot from three. Wisconsin needs to know where they are. I think I would take my chances and let Edey get his points and take away the outside shooting.

Find What Works Before Next Week

I give Wisconsin basketball very little, if any, shot to win this game. That’s not a bad thing either. Unless the Boilermakers for some reason sat some key players, I don’t see an upset here.

It’s been a bad, and sometimes brutal to watch, stretch this Wisconsin basketball team had had the last six weeks. their NCAA Tournament seeding won’t be impacted with a loss. I want to see what this team can do that works for them. Whether it’s something new or something that worked earlier in the year, the Badgers need to be able to work off something in Minneapolis and the NCAA Tournament. Right now, there isn’t a ton they can lean on.

Practice Good Habits On Both Sides

It might sound weird to say this, but I wouldn’t worry about the score in this game. If Wisconsin basketball can get good looks, take care of the ball, and play good defense, I will feel better going into next week. It’s tough, but they have to get back to the basics and buy into the basics for 40 minutes.

If shots don’t fall, but it’s good shots, you can live with that. Eventually, those shots go in. The same thing goes with defense. If the Badgers defend well and tough shots go in, I guarantee those stops pay off later. I just want to see good fundamentals on both sides in a crowd that will be as loud as they will face this season.

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