Badgers Basketball Preview: Illinois edition

[Da-news-now]

The Matchup: Wisconsin (12-9, 4-4 B1G) at Illinois (10-11, 2-6 B1G)
When: Sun. Jan 31, 2016; 6:30p.m. CT
Where: State Farm Center (17,287)
TV: BTN
Radio: Badgers Sports Network
Last Meeting: Wisconsin won, 68-49 (2/15/15)
All-Time Series: Illinois leads 110-83

Starting Lineups:


Illinois Fighting Illini

G Jaylon Tate — Jr. 6-3, 170 (2.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 3.1 apg)
G Jalen Coleman-Lands— Fr. 6-3, 180 (9.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.9 apg)
G Kendrick Nunn — Jr. 6-3 190 (17.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.8 apg)
G Malcolm Hill — Jr. 6-6 220 (18.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.3 apg)
F Michael Finke — Fr. 6-10 220 (9.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.3 apg)

Wisconsin Badgers

G Bronson Koenig — Jr. 6-4, 193 (13.5 pgg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg)
G Zak Showalter — Jr. 6-2, 180 (7.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.2 apg)
F Vitto Brown — Jr. 6-8, 230 (8.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.5 apg)
F Nigel Hayes — Jr. 6-8, 240 (17.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.6 apg)
F Ethan Happ — Fr. 6-9, 235 (12.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 0.9 apg)

Biggest Matchup: Malcolm Hill vs. Nigel Hayes


For a change, Wisconsin will actually have the height advantage in a matchup. Both Nigel Hayes and Ethan Happ could have big days, but the key is going to be the wing matchup between Hayes and Malcolm Hill. The Illini’s leading scorer is one of the most versatile players in the Big Ten and that is severe trouble for the Badgers on the defensive end of the court.

With Hill averaging just a shade over 18 points per game, Hayes and the rest of the team are going to have their hands full defensively. Still, it is hard not to think of the advantage Wisconsin will have on the other end of the court as well. If Hayes can take Hill on physically and get him in to foul trouble, the visiting Badgers could be in business.

This is the one matchup to watch on the night.

3 Numbers to Know:


— 60: The first team to reach the 60-point mark has won 26 of the last 27 matchups in this long-standing series. So, don’t be surprised to see that play itself once again in the new-look State Farm Center.

— 70: When the Badgers reach over the 70-point plateau is usually means good things are happening. In fact, the Badgers are winners of their last 29 games in which they’ve reached the 70-point mark.

— 3: Wisconsin owns a three-game win streak over Illinois in games at the State Farm Center. Keeping that streak going would mean the Badgers set a program record for most consecutive victories in Champaign, Ill.

Prediction: Wisconsin 74, Illinois 60


There’s no doubt that the duo of Kendric Nunn and Malcolm Hill is dynamic — after all, they are the 5th best scoring pair of teammates in the country. However, it hasn’t translated in to big time wins, as the program slips under .500 as we speak.

Wisconsin seems to have found their identity as of late, playing a physical brand of basketball and making their living…errr, scholarship grants-in-aid, at the free throw line. Illinois simply doesn’t have the physicality to hang with the Badgers and the 4-guard lineup should be something Hayes and Happ can take major advantage of.

Don’t be surprised to see Wisconsin blow this one out of the water.

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