Busting Brackets
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3 keys for Wisconsin Basketball to upset Purdue Boilermakers in Big Ten clash

By Thomas J. Brown

Jan 10, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) puts his hands on his head during a timeout during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) puts his hands on his head during a timeout during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan Wolverines forward Will Tschetter (42) grabs a rebound over Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines forward Will Tschetter (42) grabs a rebound over Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Box out and rebound!

Rebounding will always be a key component to winning basketball games. However, teams who face the Purdue Boilermakers this season bear the added burden of facing the best rebounder in the country, Zach Edey.

Not only is Edey leading the Nation in rebounds at 12.9 per contest, he is also one of the tallest players in the country. Standing 7’4″, Edey would be tough to keep off of the boards if he were an average talent. Unfortunately for opponents, Edey has great footwork and agility, especially for a 7-footer. He also has a knack for going after ball; height and footwork alone are not enough to make the player lead the country on the boards. Keeping him off the glass, especially when it comes to offensive rebounds has to be a point of concentration for the Wisconsin Badgers on Thursday.

As a team, the Boilermakers are 16th in the country and 1st in the Big Ten in rebounding at 39.1 boards per game. The Badgers average 31.5 rebounds per game as a team; they cannot allow the law of averages to play out on the glass in their matchup with Purdue. If they do, the visiting team will turn offensive rebounds into multiple shot opportunities which will inevitably result in second-chance points. The team must call upon 7’0″ Junior Center Steven Crowl and 6’9″ Senior Forward Tyler Wahl to be consistent and physical on the interior. It’s the only way to offset the potential dominance of Edey.

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