The race for the Big Ten title continues when Wisconsin faces Illinois. Both teams’ superstars will battle it for the crucial victory in the race for the Big Ten regular-season title.
Location: State Farm Arena
TV schedule: February 2, 2022, on the Big Ten Network at 9:00 P.M
Wisconsin is 17-3 going into this game. Their three losses have come against Michigan State, Ohio State, and Providence. Their best win came against Purdue. The Badgers go into this game ranked 11th in the country.
Offensively, Wisconsin is led by Johnny Davis. Davis averages 21 points on 44 percent shooting. The star also averages seven rebounds per game. Another notable player for Wisconsin is Brad Davidson. Davidson is averaging 15 points per game on 41 percent shooting.
This game will be key for the Big Ten regular-season title race as Wisconsin and Illinois are tied for first place. While beating Purdue for both teams (Wisconsin would be beating Purdue for the second time) will be key in the Big Ten race, this game will be very huge for who wins the regular-season title.
Illinois is 15-5 going into this game. Their five losses have come against Maryland, Arizona, Marquette, Purdue, and Cincinnati. Their best win came against Michigan State. The fighting Illini go into this game ranked 18th in the country.
Offensively, Illinois is led by Kofi Cockburn. Cockburn is averaging 21 points on 58 percent shooting. Cockburn is also averaging an insane 11 rebounds per game. Another notable player for the fighting Illini is Alfonso Plummer. Plummer is averaging 15 points on 44 percent shooting.
Illinois is averaging 41 rebounds per game. They are 7th in rebounding in the nation. Illinois is one of the better scoring teams in the country. The Fighting Illini average 77 points per game. They are 32rd in the nation in the points per game.
This game will be decided between two of the best players in the country. Cockburn and Davis will battle till the end of the game. Cockburn will prove to be the better player and Illinois will come out with the victory.
Prediction: Illinois 70, Wisconsin 65