Marquette vs. Wisconsin: Key storylines for the 2018 rivalry matchup

Role players for each squad

Sometimes rivalry games have a tendency to not go quite as expected. Markus Howard and Ethan Happ may or may not have phenomenal games, but either way, both teams will need to rely on important “secondary” pieces.

For Marquette, Sam and Joey Hauser have both had some great games so far. The brothers rank 2nd and 3rd in scoring respectively for the team and are tough covers with their ability to score both inside and out.

Solid performances will be needed by Theo John and Ed Morrow as well. John has struggled with foul trouble of late and dealing with Ethan Happ won’t make his life any easier. Morrow has seen an increased role the last three contests and could find himself with a key role in this one defensively.

Wisconsin has a number of players capable of stepping up alongside Happ and Trice. Brad Davison and Brevin Pritzl are both prototypical Wisconsin basketball players. Davison has an uncanny knack for drawing charges as a pesky defender and Pritzl has a way of making an impact offensively without a ton of size or quickness.

Khalil Iverson might be Wisconsin’s most athletic player and has been very consistent on both ends of the court this season. An unfortunate season-ending injury to Trevor Anderson does give the Badgers a little less depth, but so far this team is much more balanced than last year’s squad.

With both teams off to solid 2018 campaigns, this is a perfect time for role players to rise to the occasion and make an impact.