The Wisconsin Badgers return to the court after Finals Week to take on the Villanova Wildcats at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM on Fox, and the Badgers are 4.5-point favorites.
The Badgers are coming off an embarrassing loss last Wednesday in Lincoln, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers delivered a 90-60 beatdown at Pinnacle Bank Arena. It was the biggest margin of defeat under Greg Gard. Wisconsin was outclassed in almost every facet, shooting just 34 percent from the floor and allowing
90 points for the second time this season.
What should Badger fans know about the Villanova Wildcats?
Opponent Preview
The Wildcats ushered in a new era by hiring long-time head coach Kevin Willard from Maryland this offseason. So far, Villanova is 8-2 but has not beaten any significant opponents in ten games. The Wildcats are coming off arguably their best win last Saturday, a Quad 3 victory over Pittsburgh, 79-61.
Like Nebraska, Villanova loves to utilize the three-point shot. The Wildcats are tops among Big East Conference teams with 10.6 made three-pointers per game and rank third with a 36.8 percent three-point shooting percentage.
Guard Bryce Lindsay, a transfer from James Madison, has found a home with Villanova. Lindsay leads the team with 17.2 points per game, and his 45.8 percent three-point shooting is tops among Wildcat starters. Badger guards must stay on Lindsay so he does not get into a rhythm on offense.
At the other guard positions are Acaden Lewis and Tyler Perkins. Lewis is tied at the top among Big East players with 5.6 assists per game and is second on the team with 12.4 points. Perkins averages 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
The Villanova frontcourt features one of the nation’s best rebounders, 6-foot-11 forward Duke Brennan. Brennan is second in the country with 11.7 rebounds per game. At the other forward position is Matt Hodge, who averages 10.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
Score Prediction
Both teams are similar, so I expect this game to stay close for 40 minutes. Greg Gard said the team needs to play with “more bite” after their loss to Nebraska, especially on defense, so I expect a much better effort this Friday. Both times, Wisconsin has responded to double-digit losses with wins this season. With that, and the game in-state, I predict the Badgers get back into the win column with a nail-biter.
Prediction: Wisconsin 82-80.
