USA Today via Reuters
Nov 25, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Eastern Illinois Panthers guard George Dixon (right) chases a loose ball against Wisconsin Badgers guard Jonathan Davis (1) and forward Ben Carlson (20) during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 25, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Eastern Illinois Panthers guard George Dixon (right) chases a loose ball against Wisconsin Badgers guard Jonathan Davis (1) and forward Ben Carlson (20) during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
The 2020/21 NCAA Men’s Basketball season has provided plenty of exciting matchups and surprises. One of those wonders was the sudden rise of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who were ranked for the first time in this week’s AP Poll. However, they are heading into another clash against a higher-ranked opponent in the Wisconsin Badgers.
#6 Wisconsin Badgers ⬆️⬆️⬆️#OnWisconsin » #Badgers pic.twitter.com/W3drNdQOTa
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) December 28, 2020
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The Badgers are on the verge of breaking into the top-five this season. The team has been absolutely phenomenal but fell to a surprise loss at the hands of the Maryland Terrapins. They will need a win in this game to ensure they don’t end up falling out of the top-10 after a meteoric rise.
As for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, they went from being an unranked team to polishing off ranked units like the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans. But can they add another feather in their cap by taking the Badgers down?
NCAA Men’s Basketball: Can the Badgers avoid a second consecutive loss?
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Of course, they can avoid it. But whether or not they end up avoiding it is a whole different question. Their talent is inarguably better than that of the Gophers, and their performances this season have also been more impressive.
Considering their recent loss to Maryland, one can expect the Badgers to head into their next game with plenty of preparation, especially because of how dangerous the Gophers are.
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
The Gophers will line up with Both Gach, Gabe Kalscheur, Marcus Carr, Brandon Johnson, and Liam Robbins. The Badgers will have D’Mitrik Trice, Aleem Ford, Nate Reuvers, Brad Davison, and Micah Potter on the floor.
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Momentum plays a big role in basketball. The Gophers have all the momentum on their side and will look to spring a loss on the Badgers, which will give them their second conference loss of the season. The Gophers are rolling right now, and their depth and experience is a hard thing for any opponent to overcome. As a result, we are taking a risk and predicting the Gophers to upset the Badgers.
