USA Today via Reuters
Jan 17, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins talks to the team during a timeout against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 17, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins talks to the team during a timeout against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball has seen an action-packed Big 10 Conference this season. One of the biggest victims of the strength of the conference have been the Northwestern Wildcats. They will be looking to arrest a 5-fight losing streak against the #10 ranked Wisconsin Badgers.
The Wildcats went from being on the bubble of being ranked in the AP Top 25 to way out of the conversation. Ever since they upset the Ohio State Buckeyes in late December, NW has gone winless. They lost to the Iowa Hawkeyes (x2), Michigan Wolverines, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Final: #5 Iowa 96, Northwestern 73
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) January 17, 2021
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The experienced Badgers have a formidable 11-3 record this season. They had an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines, but bounced back with a strong win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. They have been holding their own in a deadly Big 10 Conference this season.
Can the Wildcats end their losing streak tonight?
NCAA Basketball: The Badgers experience comes into play?
The loss to Michigan was unlike what we usually see from this Badgers team. After all, their average age is more than that of the Chicago Bulls started.
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They are very well-built to take on streaky teams like the Wildcats. However, Northwestern isn’t even streaky at this point. The Wildcats are in a certified slump. However, they faced really tough opponents that would be tough tests for any team.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 9, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard talks with his team during a huddle during the game with the Rhode Island Rams at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Nonetheless, to come out of this rough schedule without a win in 5 is a massive red flag. Can they manage to break down this battle-tested Badgers squad?
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The Badgers will start the game with D’Mitrik Trice, Aleem Ford, Tyler Wahl, Micah Potter, and Brad Davison. Meanwhile, the Wildcats will start with Boo Buie, Chase Audige, Robbie Beran, Pete Nance, and Miller Kopp.
We have to go with Wisconsin here. Northwestern are in a slump and this fixture doesn’t bail them out. These are the kind of games that teams like Wisconsin should not drop. From how we look at it, they will come out on top and add another loss to the Wildcats streak.
