The Badgers erupted in the second half for a win over Maryland on Sunday stopping their two-game losing streak. Now, the Badgers look to start a winning streak on Thursday when they visit the Buckeyes. The game will tip at 8:00 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN.
Projected Starters
Wisconsin:
G: Bronson Koenig (13.3 PPG, 2.1 APG)
G: Zak Showalter (8.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG)
F: Nigel Hayes (13.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG)
F: Vitto Brown (7.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG)
C: Ethan Happ (14.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.9 APG)
Ohio State:
G: C.J. Jackson (4.6 PPG, 2.8 APG)
G: Kam Williams (10.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG)
F: Marc Loving (12.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG)
F: Jae’Sean Tate (14.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG)
C: Trevor Thompson (10.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG)
After missing the Michigan game and coming off the bench against Maryland due to a calf injury, Bronson Koenig expects to be back in the starting lineup.
Responding to a question asking the percentage that he’s at after the injury, Koenig said, “I’m fine, I’m good.”
The Badgers beat Maryland to avoid a three-game losing streak, but a three-game losing streak is exactly what Ohio State enters Thursday night’s matchup with. The Buckeyes fell to Maryland, Michigan State and Nebraska in their last three tries, and they’re just 5-10 in the Big Ten so far this season.
Although the Buckeyes aren’t playing anywhere near their best ball, the Badgers aren’t overlooking them. Wisconsin also can’t afford to overlook anyone as the Big Ten race goes down to the wire.
“We know they’re always going to play hard,” D’Mitrik Trice said. “We played them once here and they fought til the end.”
Wisconsin destroyed Ohio State methodically back on January 23, winning 89-66. The Badgers shot 12/22 from the three-point line, one of their best shooting performances of the year. Koenig went 5/7 from distance, scoring 21 points to lead the Badgers.
The Badgers held Ohio State’s two leading scorers, Mar Loving and Jae’Sean Tate, to just 15 points on 14 shots. Wisconsin will undoubtedly look to replicate that success on Thursday night. Jaquan Lyle led Ohio State with 13 points.
The Badgers defense suffocated OSU in the first meeting, which is reasonable. The Buckeyes have the 10th ranked offense in the Big Ten, while the Badgers have the top ranked defense.