Badgers Basketball Preview: North Dakota edition

[BuckySaunders]

The Matchup: Wisconsin vs. North Dakota
When: Tues. Nov. 17; 7p.m. CT
Where: Madison, Wis.; Kohl Center (17,287)
TV: ESPN3
Radio: Badgers Sports Network
Last Meeting: UW won, 103-85 (Nov. 19, 2013)
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads 6-0



Starting Lineups:


North Dakota

G Quinton Hooker — 6-0, 205 lbs., Jr. (12.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 7.0 apg)
G Corey Baldwin — 6-4, 190, Jr. (10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 apg)
G Cortez Seales — 6-4, 180, Fr. (27.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg)
F Drick Bernstine — 6-8, 220, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 apg)
C Carson Shanks — 7-0, 245, So. (10.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.0 apg)

Wisconsin

G Bronson Koenig — Jr. (20.0 pgg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg)
G Zak Showalter — So. (8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 apg)
F Vitto Brown — Jr. (13.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.5 apg)
F Nigel Hayes — Jr. (15.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.0 apg)
F Ethan Happ — Fr. (6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.0 apg)



Biggest Matchup: Ethan Happ vs. Carson Shanks

One of the biggest reasons for UW’s opening loss to Western Illinois was a lack of a stout defense up the middle. Part of that issue came from redshirt freshman Ethan Happ, who struggled to stay in position and out of foul trouble. Head coach Bo Ryan called him out after the game, and Happ responded in a good way the next time out.

However, this time around he’s going to be dealing with a seven-footer as his opposite number and that is going to be a big challenge. If the Badgers want to win this one going away, Happ needs to show dominance on both ends of the court early on in this game. It will be a tall task in more ways than one, but a critical matchup for Happ to win if the Badgers are going to win.



3 Numbers to Know:


– 23.5: Wisconsin has more freshmen on its roster than anyone in the country this season (8). However, there are four major freshmen contributors — Ethan Happ, Charlie Thomas, Khalil Iverson and Alex Illikainen. Those four contributors are combining to average 23.5 points per game early on this season.

– 43: The last time these two teams met, history was made. Back in 2013, then junior center Frank Kaminsky tied the school record for most points in a single game with 43. Is there a performance like that out of anyone on this team?

– 54.9: North Dakota shot 54.9 percent in its season opener, but it was against DII Minnesota-Morris. So, take that for what it is worth, but with the Badgers struggling to stop opening opponent Western Illinois, UND could provide some trouble if the defense can’t get going for the Badgers.



Prediction: Wisconsin 91, North Dakota 63

Which Badgers team are we going to see in this matchup? If it is the one that rebounded from its shocking loss to Western Illinois and poured it on Siena, then look for it be a blow out. However, this could easily go the other way with such a young team overall.

I don’t see that scenario happening though, especially since UND doesn’t have the quality of depth that the Badgers do. Additionally, it appears both Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes have figured out what it means to take this team and put it on their backs when needed. The duo can handle this game by itself if need be, but look for the likes of Charlie Thomas and Khalil Iverson to continue to earn more playing time thanks to big efforts in this game.

Simply put, North Dakota is light years away from competing with the Badgers in terms of talent. It would take a massive fail for UW to drop this contest.

The post Badgers Basketball Preview: North Dakota edition appeared first on Madtown Badgers.

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