PREVIEW: No. 22 Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

Matchup

No. 22 Wisconsin (22-8 overall, 11-6 Big Ten) vs. Minnesota (23-7 overall, 11-6 Big Ten)

When & Where

Sunday, Mar. 5 | 5:00 p.m. CST | Madison, Wis.

Broadcast

TV – BTN

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

Streaming – BTN2Go

At a Glance

The No. 22 Wisconsin Badgers have lost five of their last six games and will host the Minnesota Gophers for a season finale border battle in Madison. Minnesota is on an eight-game winning streak spanning over a month and are currently sitting at third place in the Big Ten, just one win ahead of the fourth place Badgers. It will also be senior night at the Kohl Center, so between the rivalry, the streaks, the seniors and post-season seeding, it shouldn't be difficult for either team to find motivation Sunday evening.

Head Coach

Greg Gard: 37–16 (.698)

Last Time Out

Last Thursday, the Iowa Hawkeyes came to Madison and handed the Badgers a rare loss inside of the Kohl Center. It wasn’t the type of Wisconsin basketball fans are use to watching, as the mistake-ridden Badgers blew a nine-point lead with just over four minutes to go. UW’s Ethan Happ missed a pair of would-be game-clinching free throws, which gave the Hawkeyes the opening they needed. Jordan Bohannon – the brother of former Badgers Zach Bohannon and Jason Bohannon – hit the game winning 3-pointer for Iowa and delivered the Badgers their second home loss of the season.

Bronson Koenig – 19 points, 1 steal

Nigel Hayes – 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists

Ethan Happ – 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal

Quick Facts

- With one more win Wisconsin will surpass last season's win total of 22.

- UW has lost two of their last three home games

- According to Kenpom.com, the Badgers are the No. 24 most efficient team in the nation

Head Coach

Richard Pitino: 74-58 (.561)

Last Time Out

Nate Mason scored 25 points in 28 minutes and led the Minnesota Gophers past the Nebraska Cornhuskers in an 88-73 route in Minneapolis. It was the Gophers eighth-straight win as Minnesota has moved all the way up to third place in the Big Ten and are on the brink of the AP Top 25, sitting at No. 26 in last weeks poll results. Jordan Murphy also made some noise for the Gophers, recording his sixth double-double in the last seven games.

Quick Facts

- The Minnesota Gophers won eight games all last season and are currently on an eight-game winning streak this season.

- The Gophers haven't been this successful in the conference since 1997 when they went to the Final Four.

Wisconsin – 65

Minnesota – 60