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Wisconsin at Michigan: 2019-20 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Anthony Brown

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 12: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines calls a play in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 12, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 12: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines calls a play in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 12, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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The Wisconsin Badgers split their series with the Michigan Wolverines last season losing on the road. Can they get a B1G win in the Crisler Center?

Who: Wisconsin Badgers 17-10 (10-6 Big Ten) at 19. Michigan Wolverines 18-9 (9-7 Big Ten)

When: Thursday, February 27th at 7 pm ET

Where: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI

TV Schedule: ESPN2

The Wisconsin Badgers and No. 19 Michigan Wolverines face each other for the only time this season looking to stake their claim for a single or double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.

The Michigan Wolverines secured a home victory last year, 61-52, behind the great play of Charles Mathews (18 points), Jon Teske (17 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks) and Jordan Poole (10 points, nine rebounds). The Wisconsin Badgers jumped out to a 13-5 lead to start the game and it went back and forth for the most part up until the last minute.

The Michigan Wolverines have won five in a row since they lost to an unranked Ohio State team in early February. Coming into this game, they earned key wins against Gonzaga, Creighton, Michigan State, Rutgers (home and away) and Iowa. Zavier Simpson and Franz Wagner have led the Wolverines in scoring during this run. They are ranked 22nd in the NET and have a 7-8 record in quadrant one. Check out their NET team sheet.

The Wisconsin Badgers have weathered the storm this season in order to find themselves in a position for a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament. Coming into this game, they earned key wins against Tennessee, Marquette, Ohio State (home and away), Penn State, Michigan State and Maryland. The Badgers are ranked 30th in the NET and have a 7-8 record in quadrant one as well. Check out their NET team sheet.

Players to Watch (Michigan)

  • No. 2 Isiah Livers  – 13.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG  (Now healthy after groin and ankle injuries)
  • No. 3 Zavier Simpson – 12.3 PPG, 8 APG
  • No. 15 Jon Teske  – 12 PPG, 7.3 RPG
  • No. 55 Eli Brooks – 11 PPG, 3.7 RPG
  • No. 21 Franz Wagner – 10.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG

Players to Watch (Wisconsin)

  • No. 35 Nate Reuvers  – 13.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG
  • No. 0 D’Mitrik Trice – 9.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG
  • No. 34 Brad Davison – 9.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG

As we get closer and closer to the end of the regular season, games become much more important. Both teams match up well in terms of guard play and inside scoring. I think this game will come down to the wire like the last meeting.

Projected Bracketology Field. dark. Next

The team that gets the threes to fall early and consistently will win this game. I’d also pay attention to the turnover battle as well.

Prediction: Wisconsin 65 – Michigan 73

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