Wisconsin takes on Butler in the Indy Classic. Read more for a full Wisconsin vs Butler prediction and preview.
General Information:
Teams:Â Wisconsin (8-3) and Butler (7-3)
Tip Time:Â 1:30 p.m. CST
Watch:Â BTN
Listen:Â Badger Radio Network
Latest on Butler basketball:
Butler is coming off an ugly loss to North Dakota State despite heroic efforts from Pierre Brooks II and Jahmyl Telfort. Brooks II had 26 points and Telfort had 23. The problem for Butler? The rest of the team combined for just 19 points. The game prior, they got smoked by No. 17 Houston, scoring just 18 points in the first half on the way to a 51-79 loss.
The Bulldogs’ starting five consists of four forwards and a guard, with every player having the ability and the willingness to shoot the three. As a team, they knock down their three-pointers at an impressive clip of 40 percent. Butler does struggle in the turnover department, averaging 13 turnovers per game and has a -4.3 turnover margin per game.
Butler has a daunting stretch ahead of them. After facing No. 20 Wisconsin, they play No. 6 Marquette on the road, and No. 18 UConn at home. It is not a good sign that Butler enters this stretch having lost back-to-back games.
Latest on Wisconsin basketball:
Wisconsin gave up a lot of second-chance points against Illinois on Tuesday. The Fighting Illini had 15 offensive rebounds, and outrebounded Wisconsin 38-27 in the contest. Steven Crowl, the Badgers’ seven-foot center, failed to grab a singular rebound and was dominated by Illinois’ 7’1 Tomislav Ivisic all game. As a result, Crowl played just 18 minutes throughout the contest.
John Tonje has been quiet over the past two games, scoring just 14 points against Illinois and No. 5 Marquette on 8-for-26 shooting across both games. Part of the problem? Tonje got to the free throw line on just one occasion against Illinois, which is where he has thrived all season long. Illinois was disciplined when defending him, not taking the bait when he tried to draw a foul, and Tonje was forced into some tough shots as a result.
With the Badgers going up against a starting lineup that consists of four forwards, forwards Xavier Amos and Carter Gilmore could get extended minutes off the bench if John Blackwell and Max Klesmit struggle to stick with their men in the paint.
Wisconsin vs Butler prediction: Wisconsin by 5 (81-76)
Neither side has looked good as of late. This is a Wisconsin team that is simply more talented than Butler. I think Butler’s four forwards may pay dividends on offense, but Wisconsin will be able to exploit them defensively by spreading the ball around and taking a lot of threes. The Badgers should be able to get back on track Saturday afternoon.
[…] Wisconsin basketball completely outmatched Detroit Mercy in a Saturday matinee matchup. The Titans managed to hang around for the first ten minutes of the game, as five straight points pulled them to just a 13-16 deficit. However, the Badgers would rattle off a 14-0 run over the following five minutes, and the game was never competitive after that. […]
[…] Wisconsin basketball completely outmatched Detroit Mercy in a Saturday matinee matchup. The Titans managed to hang around for the first ten minutes of the game, as five straight points pulled them to just a 13-16 deficit. However, the Badgers would rattle off a 14-0 run over the following five minutes, and the game was never competitive after that. […]