MBB Preview: Wisconsin welcomes the Cougars

The Wisconsin Badgers (6-7, 1-1) extend its home-stand, as well as hoping to add to its winning streak, when the Chicago State Cougars (2-13) visit the Kohl Center for a late weeknight tip-off.

Game information and team previews are below.

Game: Dec. 27, 2017 at the Kohl Center

Time: 8:00 PM CDT

Watch: ESPNU

Listen: BadgerSports Network (iHeartRadio)

Follow Online: The Badgers' Den

Twitter: @Badger_Blitz, @McNamaraRivals, @JohnVeldhuis and @realJ_Mills

Cougars' Pre-Game Notes

Chicago State returns after a short holiday break to play its second game of a three-game road trip against Wisconsin. Entering Wednesday's matchup, the Cougars are playing like the current Madison temperatures: Ice cold.

CSU, winless on the road (0-10) and losers of its previous nine games, hopes to flip the script in the non-conference matchup tonight. The team's last game, a 76-88 defeat at the hands of SIUE, featured some bright spots that Chicago State could build on against UW.

For example, four Cougars starters (Simmons, Bowels, Burns and Sims Jr.) notched double-digit points against SIUE on Dec. 19. Specifically, senior Glen Burns recorded a career-high 18 points to complement five assists and two steals. Additionally, his point total was the team's best last Tuesday, with senior Deionte Simmons following close behind and finishing with 17 points.

In total, many aspects of Chicago State's performance were positives to take away. For example, the team shot 50 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free-throw line. Yet, SIU-Edwardsville played through numerous lead changes and ultimately edged the Cougars.

Chicago State will have to muster more than bench points against Wisconsin, though. In fact, CSU has not played well against BIG Ten opponents this season, allowing opponent highs in points against (111; Purdue), field goals made (40; Purdue) and assists (24; Purdue).

Similarly, the Cougars also struggled against Iowa (second-most free-throw attempts and assists) as well as Northwestern (opponent high in steals; second-most three-point attempts and free-throws made). Thus, solving its BIG Ten struggles will be an important test for the last-place Cougars.

Badgers' Pre-Game Notes

Fresh off a 80-61 victory over UW-Green Bay on Saturday, UW head coach Greg Gard was impressed with the maturity his young lineup continues to display.

"Coming out of break, finishing up finals and having more time to practice I saw some signs of improvement," Gard said after Wisconsin's game against the Phoenix. "They did a good job carrying that improvement over into the game."

Game by game, this improvement is put into action by a true freshman class- a group including Brad Davison, Walt McGrory and Nathan Reuvers. These three Badgers combined boast under 35 career games played, but according to Davison, every opportunity helps the team "hone in on all of our weaknesses."

"That's our goal, just keep getting better every game and every practice," he said on Saturday. "The result will take care of itself."

The scholarship freshman from Minnesota is certainly practicing what he preaches, recording double-digit points in eight games this year. Additionally, Davison leads the team in charges (15) and his defensive efforts have been hard to dismiss in 2017.

Besides Davison, forward Aleem Ford is developing into a steady presence on the court. His performance against the Phoenix marked his second-consecutive game shooting over 50 percent from the floor, shooting over 75 percent from three-point and recording over 20 minutes on the court. Through 13 games, it may be slow progress, but certainly progress nonetheless.

If the gap widens in Wisconsin's favor on Wednesday, look for Gard to slot freshman McGrory, Reuvers and junior T.J. Schlundt in wake of the team's string of injuries.

"I was happy to be able to get some guys some experience, specifically McGrory," Gard said on Saturday. "I think that's important as we go forward, knowing our backcourt situation."

Coach's Corner

Chicago State: Head coach Tracy Dildy enters his eighth year at the helm of Cougars basketball, where he owns a 52-172 record.

Wisconsin: Head coach Greg Gard owns the second-best start in UW MBB program history through 60 games (42-18), trailing only Walter Meanwell (56-4).