Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 2020-21 power rankings heading into league play

By Ryan Kay

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for position against Austin Davis #51 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the game at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for position against Austin Davis #51 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the game at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Badgers Nate Reuvers Tyler Wahl Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin Badgers Nate Reuvers Tyler Wahl Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

6. team. 493. . 6-1. . Badgers

Wins

*Eastern Illinois
*Arkansas-Pine Bluff
*Green Bay
*Rhode Island
*Loyola Chicago
*No. 23 Louisville

Losses

*@Marquette

KenPom ranking: 3

Reasons for Hope: They have two decent wins as they beat Rhode Island and Loyola Chicago. Their dominating win against Louisville was dually noted. Statistically speaking, Wisconsin has the best defense in the Big Ten. They have not allowed more than 67 points against them this entire season. They are undefeated at home and their only loss came on the road against Marquette where they lost by only two points.

Reasons to be Pessimistic: Wisconsin should have beat Marquette as they outplayed the Golden Eagles in the second half. The Badgers like many teams, do not have a road win and they have not defeated a top 15 team this season up to this point. Statistically, their offense has not put up a lot of points and against teams like Iowa and Michigan State, they may need to score in the ’80s to win games against top-tier Big Ten opponents.

Brief Overview of the Season

Wisconsin returned three key players this year in D’Mitrik Trice, Brad Davison, and Nate Reuvers. The Badgers have also is getting a major contribution from leading scorer Micah Potter.

This season’s Big Ten is the most difficult to predict in years. You have so many teams like Michigan State, Iowa, Rutgers, Michigan having good starts entering 2021. Wisconsin competing with up and coming teams like Illinois will make it that much more difficult as they go through the gauntlet of Big Ten play.

Wisconsin, however, may surprise many in the Big Ten by playing well in Big Ten play. The Badgers may even when it is all said and done be one of the top 3 teams in the Big Ten. However, there will be obstacles and difficult games ahead but the Badgers should be ready for the challenge.

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