Preview - No. 10 Wisconsin vs. Illinois

Matchup

No. 10 Wisconsin (18-3 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) vs. Illinois (13-9 overall, 3-6 Big Ten)

When/Where

Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 8:00 p.m. CST | Champaign, Illinois

Broadcast

TV – BTN

Radio – 101.5 FM | 1310 AM | Matt Lepay and Mike Lucas

Streaming – BTN2Go

At a Glance

After losing some tough, early season matchups to teams like Creighton and North Carolina, the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers have worked their way back into the AP Top 10. Hoping to keep their midseason momentum, the Cardinal and White are on the road to take on the Fighting Illini in another Big Ten matchup. Wisconsin will hope to maintain a seat at the top of the conference, while Illinois will simply try to gain some traction in what has already proven to be a slippery season for the Orange and Blue.

Head Coach

Greg Gard: 33–11 (.750)

Last Time Out

The Badgers were tested their last time on the hardwood as a scrappy Rutgers’ team forced the Big Ten leader into an overtime period, which Wisconsin eventually won, 61-54. Despite a poor night shooting, UW eventually came out of their daze and outscored the Scarlet Knights 16-9 in OT. Had it not been for Ethan Happ’s 32-point performance the Badgers could have very easily left Madison Square Garden with an unexpected loss.

Nigel Hayes – 7 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block

Ethan Happ – 32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 4 steals

Bronson Koenig – 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Quick Facts

- Wisconsin has won 14 of their last 15 games.

- The Badgers 18-3 record is their third best start in the past 100 years.

- UW has won 10 straight games versus the Fighting Illini.

Head Coach

John Groce: 90-69 (.566)

Last Time Out

Head Coach John Groce is reportedly on the hot seat in the Illini Basketball program and last week’s 71-67 loss to Penn State didn't help his case. Illinois has struggled to put two halves of basketball together this season and that was the case versus the Nittany Lions as well. The Illini only score 25 points in the first half and went into the locker room down by 20. The immense deficit made their 45-point second half performance all for naught, as they came up 4 points short as the buzzer sounded.

Quick Facts

- Wisconsin has won 14 of their last 15 games.

- The Badgers 18-3 record is their third best start in the past 100 years.

- UW has won 10 straight games versus the Fighting Illini.

Wisconsin – 71

Illinois – 59

(Badgers are favored by 7 in the spread)