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NCAA Basketball Buy or Sell: Are Iowa and Wisconsin Big Ten contenders this season?

By Bryan Mauro

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Ryan Kriener #15, Connor McCaffery #30, Nicholas Baer #51, and Riley Till #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes react during the second half of the game against Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Ryan Kriener #15, Connor McCaffery #30, Nicholas Baer #51, and Riley Till #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes react during the second half of the game against Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin Badgers

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So far Wisconsin looks to be one of the most surprising teams in the entire country. Coach Greg Gard had a tough season last year. Last season his team was mired by injuries and it was compounded by the fact that Wisconsin was not a great shooting team. A season ago star player Ethan Happ was everything for this team and often he was having to beat teams all by himself.

Entering the season, it appeared that it would be more of the same for the Badgers. Happ was still going to be excellent. Depth and shooting were still a question. What has happened this season to date has been a surprise to everyone. Wisconsin already holds wins over NC State and Xavier and look to be a factor in the Big Ten. The Badgers are not flashy, but they have proven this year they do know how to win close games. The Badgers do not appear to be built to blow anyone out, but they are back to playing Wisconsin Basketball, of fundamentals, no turnovers and great defense without fouling.

The shooting woes that Wisconsin experienced last year have improved a great deal from a year ago. The addition of two players who were injured most of the previous season is a huge reason for the improvement of those numbers. D’Mitrick Trice and Kobe King were the injured players last year, both players returning have given the Wisconsin offense the shooting prowess they lacked last year. Star player Happ is playing better than ever this year and is making an excellent case for Big Ten Player of the Year.

The Badgers appear poised to make it back to the NCAA tournament, especially with the Big Ten being as deep as it is. Wisconsin opened many eyes across the country when they made the finals of the Battle for Atlantis tournament. In the championship game against Virginia, their only loss, the showed admirably and eventually lost a close game. The Badgers do have a slim margin for error this year, however if they continue to play this way and get their shooters the ball they will be able to overcome their flaws to make the NCAA tournament.

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