Why arent we talking about the game this week?

[KenoshaWarrior]

Why is nobody talking about the game?

[GGGG]

I was going to be snarky, but honestly I thought the same thing.  I still think we are a little shell-shocked over the Florida game and have no idea what to expect.

I think it is going to be a very difficult, hard-fought game.  Wisconsin has trouble scoring against quality defense, but man if they get hot, they have some shooters that can really light it up.  Here is how I would play it.

**Junior can guard Traevon Jackson or George Marshall.  Don't pick up dumb fouls.
**Put Vander on Brust and smother him.  He is their one streak shooter.
**I think Lockett can handle Brusewitz or Dekker...same with Jamil on Evans
**Here is the real question though...can our bigs handle Bergren?  Especially if he steps out to the three.  I wouldn't double him until he can show that he can make some shots underneath though.

UW is going to sag on defense.  This might be the game that Thomas finally shows his worth.  But there aren't going to be many driving lanes, and the ones that exist might be fool's gold.

All and all, I think MU wins a very close, very ugly game.

[MUfan12]

I see this going a lot like two years ago. UW sags, MU can't get to the hoop. UW stretches the floor with their shooters, MU can't get a defensive rebound.

UW by 7.

[muguru]

I see this going a lot like two years ago. UW sags, MU can't get to the hoop. UW stretches the floor with their shooters, MU can't get a defensive rebound.

UW by 7.

Sheesh...You'd think this was a great UW team?? This is Bo's LEAST Talented UW team since he's been there(they will be lucky to make the NCAAs), and they may be a lot of things, but one thing they are NOT is good defensively. Virginia drove at will on them, and beat them easily at the Kohl. MU wins this one handily.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Its fair to say UW is no great team.  It is however equally fair to say MU isnt a great team either.

MU needs to pressure all over the floor.  UW has terrible ball handlers all over the place.  Even with Gasser who isnt really a PG to begin with, that is what I would do.  Dont allow UW to control the game with their deliberate half court "swing".  Have them running that thing 25 feet from the basket and dont let them get into it for 10 seconds after you have full court pressed them.

This would also apply pressure on the 3pt shooters which is key.  Its not like UW is gonna drive past them to the basket...

[BCHoopster]

There is a good reason that no one really is excited about the game as both teams are average at best.  Badgers should win as they can shot the ball, MU can not.  If MU is going
to win, Jamil Wilson has to play much better.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Never thought I would say this but "thank you KenoshaWarrior".  Let's get back to basketball.

My sincere hope is that after a week of Buzz riding the guys in practice, we come out like a bat out of hell and beat the crap out of them.

That said, it will probably be an infuriatingly ugly, slow, close game that we pull out in the end.

MU by 5.

[robmufan]

If they are going to pack it in, I think MU needs to have confidence in Jamil and Blue to make their jump shots.

Get Jamil to the elbow, let blue create a shot. 

[MUfan12]

Sheesh...You'd think this was a great UW team?? This is Bo's LEAST Talented UW team since he's been there(they will be lucky to make the NCAAs), and they may be a lot of things, but one thing they are NOT is good defensively. Virginia drove at will on them, and beat them easily at the Kohl. MU wins this one handily.

I hope you're right, but MU's lack of shooting scares me. UW will pack it in, and flop on contact. If those get called, MU could be in some big foul trouble.

Berggren is a matchup nightmare. I don't want Otule or Gardner that far from the hoop defensively, but I don't know who else would check him.

[MarquetteDano]

I like Lockett's game in this one.  UW will sag and dare us to shoot from the outside.  However the sagging will allow some penetration, just not all of the way to the basket.

Lockett is quite good at that mid-range shot.  I say Lockett is the leading scorer in this one.

Marquette by 7.

[bilsu]

I like Lockett's game in this one.  UW will sag and dare us to shoot from the outside.  However the sagging will allow some penetration, just not all of the way to the basket.

Lockett is quite good at that mid-range shot.  I say Lockett is the leading scorer in this one.

Marquette by 7.

Lockett is basically a player that scores inside of 2 feet. I do not see how he does well against UW's size.

[RJax55]

I hope you're right, but MU's lack of shooting scares me. UW will pack it in, and flop on contact. If those get called, MU could be in some big foul trouble.

Berggren is a matchup nightmare. I don't want Otule or Gardner that far from the hoop defensively, but I don't know who else would check him.

Otule did a nice job last year against Berggren. Now, he's certainly not moving as well as he use to, but he has experience defending him.

I think MU can force some turnovers against UW and get some baskets in transition.

[MarquetteDano]

Lockett is basically a player that scores inside of 2 feet. I do not see how he does well against UW's size.

Disagree.  He has a nice mid-range game which will work well against the Badgers sagging.  We will see on Saturday.

[MUfan12]

I like Lockett's game in this one.  UW will sag and dare us to shoot from the outside.  However the sagging will allow some penetration, just not all of the way to the basket.

Lockett is quite good at that mid-range shot.  I say Lockett is the leading scorer in this one.

Interesting point. This game will likely be more at his pace than Florida was.

As far as Otule/Berggren goes... I'm not as worried about the ability to cover. I'm more worried about pulling a rebounder 20 feet from the basket.

[real chili 83]

We are going to win it.

We are going to win it for Rick.

Badgers won't know what hit them.

[MarquetteDano]

So what is the over/under on the number of flops the Badgers will have when Gardner has the ball?

Along that note, I hope we don't post up Gardner too much in the game.  Their flopping will get him in foul trouble.  I like the idea of Gardner receiving passes off of drives to the basket however.

[wyoMUfan]

I'm glad the game is at home before finals which should translate into a pretty raucous crowd.
Anyone going to the Denver Alumni watching party at Stoneys? Send me a DM as I'm considering going and have always dreamed of meeting a fellow scooper

[Earl Tatum]

After the Florida game, who wants to. Don't know why we never went after Showalter and Dekker.
May not be all flash but they are cash and hustle and smarts.

[Lennys Tap]

As far as Otule/Berggren goes... I'm not as worried about the ability to cover. I'm more worried about pulling a rebounder 20 feet from the basket.

Chris really isn't much of a rebounder. If he AND Bergeren are both 20 feet away from the basket when UW shoots I'm OK with it.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Marquette by 11.  Marquette has to play tough defense on the Badger shooters.  Marquette has much more talent and depth than UW.  If fouls are called, MU will win because of their depth and the Badgers lack' of depth. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Big indicators I'll watch for early:

- MU offensive fouls.
- Badger shooting and offense rebounds.

If MU doesn't pick up fouls on offense, and rebounds well on defense, I think they could win pretty easily.

[GGGG]

After the Florida game, who wants to. Don't know why we never went after Showalter and Dekker.
May not be all flash but they are cash and hustle and smarts.

I understand Dekker - he was a great get by Bo.  But Showalter?  Cmon....limited talent with limited upside.  Hustles his ass off and is smart, but that's about it.

[Groin_pull]

For me, all this nonstop conference b.s. has really drained my passion for college hoops—including MU. I'm tuning it out more and just don't care as much.

[Pakuni]

After the Florida game, who wants to. Don't know why we never went after Showalter and Dekker.
May not be all flash but they are cash and hustle and smarts.

Hustle and smarts? Why not call them scrappy traditionals while you're at it?

[muguru]

For me, all this nonstop conference b.s. has really drained my passion for college hoops—including MU. I tuning it out more and just don't care as much.

I hear ya, but I can't blame MU for it. Still makes me nervous, unsettled and frankly, pissed off though.