Preview: Minnesota

Vitals:

Wisconsin Badgers (19-10, 11-5) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-20, 2-14)

Wednesday, March 2, 2016 • Minneapolis, Minn. • Williams Arena • 8 p.m. CT • BTN

Wisconsin Badgers • 4th in B1G • Streak: W2

Roster • Schedule • Statistics

Fr • F • Ethan Happ • 6-9 • 235 • 11.8 ppg (12.1 ppg B1G)

Happ finds himself 1 double-double away from tying Rashard Griffith for the most double-doubles in a season (9) by a Wisconsin freshman. At this rate, it wouldn't surprise anyone if Happ achieved that mark with double-digit steals. After recording 2 steals against Michigan, Happ has now had at least 2 steals in each of his previous 6 outings, bringing his season-total to a conference-best 53. During that 6-game stretch, Happ is averaging 3.2 steals per game.

Jr • F • Vitto Brown • 6-8• 230 • 9.3 ppg (8.2 ppg B1G)

Brown had a career night against Michigan, knocking down a career-best 4 three-pointers in 6 attempts. After a three-game stretch in which he shot 50 percent or better from distance, Brown had struggled from three-point range going into the Michigan game, making just 2 of his last 9 attempts from beyond the arc (22.2 percent).

Jr • F • Nigel Hayes • 6-8 • 240 • 16.7 ppg (17.1 ppg B1G)

After shooting 27.1 percent from the field over his previous 4 games, Hayes found his stroke against Michigan as he went 7-for-14 (.500) from the field - the first time he shot 50 percent or better since posting the same numbers against Nebraska on February 10.

Jr • G • Bronson Koenig • 6-4 • 193 • 13.4 ppg (12.4 ppg B1G)

Koenig set a Wisconsin record by making at least one three pointer in 40 consecutive contests. The 40-game streak is currently the third-longest active streak in the country behind Wesley Person (Troy, 58) and Brian Sullivan (Davidson, 44). Koenig scored a game-high 19 points, including a 3-for-6 (.500) showing from distance, against Michigan.

Jr • G • Zak Showalter • 6-2 • 184 • 7.7 ppg (7.8 ppg B1G)

Showalter packed the stat sheet - per usual - on Sunday evening, scoring 4 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, and picking 1 steal. Showalter has now recorded at least 1 steal in 4 of his last 5 games and is second on the team with 31 steals on the season.

Minnesota Golden Gophers • 13th in B1G • Streak: L1

Roster • Schedule • Statistics

Jr • F • Charles Buggs • 6-9 • 230 • 5.4 ppg (2.8 B1G)

Sr • F • Joey King • 6-9 • 240 • 11.8 ppg (10.2 B1G)

Fr • G • Jordan Murphy • 6-6 • 230 • 11.8 ppg (12.6 B1G)

Fr • G • Ahmed Gilbert • 6-6 • 210 • 2.8 ppg (3.5 B1G)

Fr • G • Stephon Sharp • 6-3 • 195 • 1.9 ppg (2.5 B1G)

Top Four

Wisconsin will look to win 20 games for the 10th consecutive season while also taking a step closer to their 18th consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. What the Badgers will also aim to do in their final two games of the season is to lock up a top-four finish in the Big Ten for the 15th consecutive season, building on what already is the longest such streak in Big Ten history. If Wisconsin wins both of its remaining home games, then it will clinch a top-four finish and a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament. If the Badgers split their final two games, there are a host of tiebreakers that would have to work themselves out depending on how Maryland and Michigan State finish out their seasons.

Down Three

On Tuesday, Richard Pitino announced he would be suspending Kevin Dorsey, Nate Mason and Dupree McBrayer for the remainder of the season for violation of team rules. Mason leads the Gophers in points (13.8) and assists (4.5) this season, while Dorsey and McBrayer average 6.8 and 5.9 ppg respectively. With three of their top-six scorers sidelined, the Gophers played just six players against Illinois, and three of their players were on the floor for 36 minutes or more. Against Wisconsin last season, Mason averaged 13.0 points and 4.0 assists on 47.8 percent shooting from the field.

Two Victories

For a moment there, Minnesota was one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten (relatively speaking). After dropping to 0-13 in conference play, the Gophers pulled off a surprising upset of then-No. 6 Maryland in Minneapolis, 68-63, and followed it up with a commanding 83-61 victory over Rutgers because everyone beats Rutgers. Against Maryland, it was the Minnesota defense that wasn't its usual self by limiting the Terrapins to 37.5 percent shooting from the field and forced 15 turnovers. During conference play, Minnesota ranks 12th in field goal percentage defense at .467, and ranks 8th in opponent turnovers at 11.2 per game. Against Rutgers, it was the Minnesota offense that had an out-of-body experience, going 46.2 percent from the field, 40.9 percent from three-point range, and collecting 14 offensive rebounds. During conference play, Minnesota ranks 12th in field goal percentage (.410), 13th in three-point field goal percentage (.300), and 11th in offensive rebounds (8.9).

Prediction

Wisconsin 72, Minnesota 59

Prediction record: 21-8 (13-3)

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