Indiana vs. Wisconsin: Big Ten Tournament gamethread

Watch the Picture

Who? Indiana Hoosiers (18-14 (7-11), #47 KenPom) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (23-8 (12-6), #23 KenPom)

When? Friday, March 10, 6:30 PM, BTN

Where? Verizon Center, Washington DC

Vegas? WISCONSIN -5

Pomeroy? WISCONSIN by 3, 36% chance Indiana of victory

Listen to Fischer

On Wisconsin

Get it? I removed the comma and changed the meaning. Anyway...

Here's what Jacob Rude had to say about Bucky in the game preview:

Wisconsin is marginally different than last time the Hoosiers saw them. Their defense is a bit less efficient, but they're also forcing more turnovers. Their offense is quite a bit worse, having dropped 16 spots since the last meeting. Their biggest difference is they are not shooting quite as well.

Away from statistics, the Badgers have not played well to close the season. They lost five of their final seven games of the season and needed overtime to beat Nebraska just prior to that stretch.

It's probably not a coincidence that in the final seven games, Happ went from 14 and 9 to 11.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 51.5 percent field goal shooting.

Happ has been a critical part of what the Badgers have done this year and he's carried the team to victories this season (see non-conference game against Rutger). However, if he's not playing at Player of the Year levels, Wisconsin has struggled.

Nigel Hayes has take a huge step backwards this season. However, he's been a thorn in Indiana's side and had a double-double in the last meeting. Bronson Koenig had double figures in both games against IU, but had just 11 points in the second meeting.

Bubble Watch

Thus far today, we've seen the following results that are pertinent to Indiana's tournament hopes:

Kentucky 71 - Georgia 60: This outcome seals Georgia's fate. The Bulldogs will be playing in the NIT. So, if Indiana takes care of business, that's one less team in the way.

Rhode Island 74 - St. Bonaventure 63: Rhode Island, though, got a big win against St. Bonaventure. However, there is some debate about whether the Rams benefited from an earlier game. Davidson, the 9-seed in the Atlantic 10 knocked off 1-seed Dayton, who Rhode Island would have played next. Some believe Rhode Island benefits from this, giving them an easier mark in the win column and an easier path to an automatic bid. Others, believing VCU now has a lock on the A-10 tournament title, think this actually hurts Rhode Island because they needed another RPI top-50 win, which a win over Dayton would have been. Either way, the Rams have more work to do and, if they lose to Davidson tomorrow, they're done.

Check out your official Crimson Quarry rooting guide for today to see what other games matter tonight.