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

Wisconsin basketball got a key road road Wednesday night. The Badgers defeated Ohio State 71-60, thanks to a fantastic second half from junior Max Klesmit. Klesmit accounted for 18 of Wisconsin’s 36 second half points. The Badgers remain the only undefeated team in the Big Ten.

Up next is a home game Saturday afternoon against the Northwestern Wildcats. They are coming of a 76-72 come from behind victory against Penn State Wednesday night. The Wildcats are 3-1 in the Big Ten and 12-3 overall. Tip time is 11 AM on BTN. Here are the keys to victory Saturday morning.

Wisconsin Basketball Should Prepare to Win Ugly

Northwestern is a lot like the Badgers. Chris Collins mentioned years ago he wanted to mirror his program to operate like Wisconsin. This is a team that does not turn the ball over and doesn’t score a ton of points. Although the Wildcats had 18 turnovers Wednesday, I would not expect that to be the case Saturday.

Most games between these two teams are low-scoring and physical. I don’t think Wisconsin basketball puts up 80 on Northwestern. Whoever can get to the free throw line more and take care of the ball better will come out on top. The Badgers have been asked to win ugly much this season. I think they will have to on Saturday.

It Begins and Ends With Boo Buie

Northwestern guard Boo Buie is arguably the best point guard in the Big Ten. He has played a ton of college basketball and is a great scorer and facilitator. Coach Chris Collins gives him the keys to the offense. Buie’s ability to move around with and without the ball puts stress on defenders. Everythign the Wildcats will do goes through him.

Buie also leads the team with 18 points a game. Wisconsin basketball will need to have multiple players ready to defend Buie. I expect Chucky Hepburn to draw the first assignment, but also expect Kamari McGee to log more minutes as well. If the Badgers contain Buie, they win this game.

Wisconsin Basketball Must Attack a Thin Rotation

Northwestern will go seven or eight deep. They don’t have much post depth and they ask their guards to score a ton and log a lot of minutes. The Wildcats have four players have play 30 minutes or more a game.

Like Ohio State, Northwestern has a good guard trio in Boo Buie, Ty Berry, and Ryan Langborg. All three shoot the ball well and are above average defenders.

The X-factor on this team might be junior Brooks Barnhizer. After showing potential the first two years, Barnhizer has broken out this season and is second on the team in scoring.

There’s going to be a clear advantage for the Badgers as they will be able to have fresh legs on the court almost anytime. Northwestern had a tough game Wednesday against Penn State. Will they have enough legs to hang around with the Wisconsin basketball program? It will be interesting to see.

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