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On Thursday, Madison will host two teams coming off of disappointing weekend results.
After losing a home match to Indiana, the Boilermakers will be trying to get their game back on track. Purdue will win the entire Big Ten regular season title with a victory on Thursday night.
On Sunday, Wisconsin suffered a huge blow to its NCAA Tournament hopes when it lost in overtime to Michigan.
With less than three seconds left in regulation, the Badgers had a three-point lead. Hunter Dickinson made a long triple at the horn.
Can Wisconsin overcome Ann Arbor's heartbreak and win a massive victory over a top-five team?
Although Purdue has lost four out of six games, I'm not worried about the Boilermakers' March prospects.
Although the backcourt is young and has dealt with heavy pressure, this team is 24-5.
Zach Edey is the National Player of the Year. He will be presenting many matchup problems for the Badgers in the half-court game.
Mason Gillis, a veteran forward, will be a key to Purdue's future success. Gillis is versatile and can do everything. When he's at his best, the Boilermakers offense takes to another level.
Wisconsin will slow down the pace and force Purdue into guarding for 30 seconds each time they go down the floor.
Matt Painter's team will keep Tyler Wahl as a central point, while Edey will most likely start on Steven Crowl.
Greg Gard will likely double Edey at different points during the night, leaving Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer open to scoring.
Wisconsin will need to make this a low-scoring affair in order to win the game.
Although the Badgers are a great defensive team, they struggle to score.
The good news? Wisconsin should be better equipped to keep Edey from the offensive glass than any of its Big Ten counterparts.
Gard needs Chucky Hepburn and Connor Essegian to make their fair share from the outside in order to keep up with Purdue's offense.
Purdue has had some difficulties when it comes to physical defense. The Badgers could apply some pressure.
This is these two teams first matchup of the season. The Badgers beat the Boilermakers 70-67 last season in Madison.
Points
Edey- Pur 22.3 PPG 61.2 FG% 74.1 FT% Hepburn- Wisc 12.1 PPG 38.3 FG% 61.5 FT% |
Rebounds
Edey- Pur 12.3 RPG 9 DRPG 3.3 ORPG Crowl- Wisc 7.1 RPG 6 DRPG 1.1 ORPG |
Assists
Smith- Pur 4.3 APG 1.9 TOPG 31.1 MPG Hepburn- Wisc 3 APG 1.6 TOPG 32 MPG |
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The Badgers need this game, and they have the formula to make it a fierce contest for 40 minutes.
Purdue is not as dominant in Big Ten play away from Mackey Arena.
I believe Hepburn will win against Smith at the point-guard position. Wahl could also be in for an exciting night.
Edey will win, but Wisconsin could win in other areas. The Badgers should be in a position to hold on until the final whistle and possibly pull off an upset.
I would go withe the under if you expect a Badger win, and go with the over if you think Purdue will win. I am going with the under in this game.
Purdue vs Wisconsin How to Watch ๐
๐ Date: Thursday, March 02
๐ Game Time: 9 pm
๐บ How to Watch: BigTen
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