Big Ten Basketball: 2018-19 key storylines for Michigan at Wisconsin

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 22: Khalil Iverson #21, Nate Reuvers #35, Ethan Happ #22 and D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers walk onto the court to start the second half against the Grambling State Tigers at Kohl Center on December 22, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2. Is Wisconsin on the verge of falling apart?

There’s no doubt the previously No. 12 team in the country has taken several steps back over the past few weeks. In fact, the Badgers have won just once since Christmas Eve, which came against Penn State (0-7 in Big Ten play).

Wisconsin has lost four of its last five contests, coming at the hands of Western Kentucky. Minnesota, Purdue, and No. 19 Maryland. Western Kentucky and Purdue both managed to post upwards of 80 points on the Badgers, a feat not done on Wisconsin’s defense all season.

Luckily, it hasn’t been as ugly as it sounds. All of Wisconsin’s recent losses have been determined by seven or fewer points, and two of its opponents during that stretch are currently ranked within the top-20 on KenPom.

A loss to Michigan, albeit not detrimental in itself, will give the Badgers their seventh loss of the season and put them at 3-4 in Big Ten play. Clearly, the Badgers badly need a win Saturday to earn its first top-25 win in almost two months. Otherwise, Greg Gard’s group will have to wait until February to face another ranked team.

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