Wisconsin Basketball: 3 Keys to Victory vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

2024 started off on a good note for Wisconsin basketball. After an 83-72 win over Iowa Tuesday night, the Badgers stay home this weekend for a clash with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They are coming off an 86-70 win against Indiana Wednesday night. The Cornhuskers are having a better season at 12-2 and 2-1 in the Big Ten.

It won’t be an easy game for the Badgers. Can they stay undefeated in the Big Ten? Tip time is 1:15 PM on BTN. Here is a preview of Saturday afternoon’s game.

Steven Crowl vs. Rienk Mast

Wisconsin basketball fans might recognize the name Rienk Mast. Mast played for Bradley last season, who the Badgers beat in the first round of the NIT. He went for 14 points and 12 rebounds in that game.

Mast was the primary defender on Steven Crowl in that game. Crowl went for a career high 36 points with nine rebounds and five three pointers. It was a great game from Crowl and a game I think he has used to have the solid year he’s having right now.

Mast did play Wednesday night against Indiana, but is coming off a minor knee procedure. He was not 100% and it is unclear if he will be Saturday. If he is not effective, Crowl should have a huge advantage in the post.

Wisconsin Basketball Has to Defend the Three

The Cornhuskers only shoot 33% from three as a team, but there are two players the Badgers need to keep off the three point line as much as they can.

The first player is pretty obvious and that is senior Keisei Tominaga. He is the leading scorer for this team (14 points a game) and the best three point shooter, although he can be streaky. I think an underrated part of Tominaga’s game is his movement without the ball. He always seems to be running around and it does result in open threes. I would expect Max Klesmit to draw the assignment of Tominaga, but expect Chucky Hepburn and Kamari McGee to get reps too.

C.J. Wilcher is the other player Wisconsin basketball needs to know where he is when on the court. Wilcher has a quick release and doesn’t need much room. He leads the team in three point shooting at 40%.

Let Crowl and Wahl Cook

Nebraska has some built players in the post, but Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl will have the height advantage in this game. Wisconsin’s best offense this season is when these two get touches in the paint. Both can get to the rim and it puts pressure on the defense.

Both Wahl and Crowl have been better finishing at the rim this year. Crowl is developing a nice touch at the rim and can use either hand. Wahl left a ton of points at the rim early in the season and most of last season, but it seems like he is getting a better touch with the ball.

This is the style that as worked for the Badgers. I don’t see that changing Saturday.

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