PREVIEW: No. 16 Wisconsin vs. Ohio State

Matchup

No. 16 Wisconsin (22-5 overall, 10-3 Big Ten) vs. Ohio State (15-13 overall, 5-10 Big Ten)

When & Where

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 8:00 p.m. CST | Columbus, Ohio

Broadcast

TV – ESPN

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

Streaming – WatchESPN

At a Glance

The No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers bounced back after losing two games in row with a win versus a quality Maryland opponent. Meanwhile, the unranked Ohio State Buckeyes are having one of their worst seasons in recent memory and are currently on a three-game losing streak. On paper the matchup looks like an easy chance for the Badgers to start stacking some wins before the end of the season, but as the Big Ten has shown fans all year long, you just really never know.

Head Coach

Greg Gard: 37–13 (.740)

Last Time Out

UW slid five spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, but they managed to correct a two skid versus a Maryland – a top three Big Ten contender. After losing to Michigan in Ann Arbor and Northwestern at home, Wisconsin got their swagger back in a convincing 71-60 comeback win. Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes combined for 41 points and 17 rebounds, and a late spurt from a banged up Bronson Koenig put the Badgers over the top in a 44 point second half explosion.

Bronson Koenig – 9 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 blocks

Nigel Hayes – 21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals (double-double)

Ethan Happ – 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 5 steals

Quick Facts

- Wisconsin (.786) is one win behind Purdue (.800) in the race for first place in the Big Ten Conference.

- UW is 8-4 on the road this season with only a single loss at home.

- The Badgers have already matched last season’s win total (2).

Head Coach

Thad Matta: 335-121 (.735)

Last Time Out

Ohio State was just seconds away from snapping a two-game losing streak that had plagued the program since the begging of February, but with just 12 seconds left Nebraska’s Glynn Watson Jr. tied the game at 57 and drew a foul in the process. The Husker’s sophomore guard hit the high pressure, game-winning free throw, as Ohio State’s last frantic field goal attempt sailed wide. Nebraska went home with their second win a row as they took down Ohio State on the road, winning 58-57.

Quick Facts

- Ohio State is currently sitting second to last in the Big Ten Conference standings.

- The Buckeyes played their first season in the 19th century – tipping off in 1898.

- Ohio State has lost to Wisconsin the past two games they have played the Badgers.

Wisconsin – 76

Ohio State – 67