Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Duke, Michigan vie for the top spot

By Lukas Harkins

RENO, NV - DECEMBER 15: Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and brother Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talk to head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Lawlor Events Center on December 15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NV - DECEMBER 15: Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and brother Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talk to head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Lawlor Events Center on December 15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 22: Wisconsin Badgers walk onto the court. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 22: Wisconsin Badgers walk onto the court. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

20. Wisconsin Badgers

Record: 10-2 (2-0 Big Ten)

Last Week: No. 19

Wisconsin only competed in one game this past week and they made quick work of Grambling while coasting to 31-point victory. The Badgers have easily been among the most impressive teams in the nation so far this season and they have the potential to seriously rise up the rankings once conference play starts. I am not completely sold on Wisconsin yet (mainly because I have been a fan my whole life and do not want to show bias) but it is clear that the team has posted a great season to this point.

Wisconsin’s main concern moving forward, though, will be finding a consistent third scorer. Ethan Happ and D’Mitrik Trice are both superb scorers on this slow-paced team but the Badgers are struggling to find a tertiary option who can put up double-digit points per game. On paper, it seems as though Brad Davison can be that guy but his scoring average has been bolstered by a few big games. He has scored in double-digits just four times so far this year and has been held scoreless twice.

Even if nobody emerges as a consistent threat, though, Wisconsin’s defense is strong enough to compete with anyone in the nation. The Badgers currently own the 11th-best adjusted defensive rating and they are also shooting a blistering 40.0% from three (15th nationally). As long as Happ continues to dominate in the post and shooters take advantage of their open looks, this has the makings of a potentially special season.

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