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February 26 Sheet

Michigan at Wisconsin (-9.5) - Game 785-786 - 6:00pm Pacific
The Badgers do not have the most talented players in the Big 10 but they probably are the best team in the conference. They are extremely well coached by second year head man Bo Ryan. This is a relatively young team, with starting G/F Kirk Penney the only senior. They have improved throughout the year and are really beginning to grasp Bo Ryan's system in their second season running it. After starting conference play 0-2 they have won 9 of 11 games. They lost a fluke one pointer at Penn State two games back or else they would have won 10 of their last 11. They are currently a half game back of Michigan in the Big 10 standings which gives this game added significance.

Coach Ryan owns the highest career win percentage (.775) of any Division 1 coach with at least 15 years of experience. In his first season the Badgers earned a share of the Big 10 title and an NCAA birth and are on pace to do the same again this year. Over the the last 11 games, Wisconsin has been brilliant in second halves outscoring opponents by an average margin of 8.2 points. Only in the fluke loss at Penn State did they not outscore their opponent in the 2nd half.

Wisconsin has a solid starting five with four returnees: senior G/F Kirk Penney (16.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.2apg), sophomore guard Devin Harris (13.2ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.8apg), junior guard Freddie Owens (11.0ppg), and F/C Mike Wilkinson (9.6ppg, 6.6rpg). Good looking freshman forward Alando Tucker (12.3ppg, 5.8rpg) has been a big surprise. He earned a starting job 5 games into the season and brings them just shy of having all five starters average in double figures. Wisconsin ranks 2nd in the country in fewest turnovers per game (10.6) and 6th in the country in scoring defense (59.3ppg). They clearly know how to play smart basketball.

Michigan is slowing down a bit as they get into the more difficult part of their Big 10 schedule. After starting 6-0 in conference they have gone 3-3 in their last six including 1-3 in road games. The loan road win came in last game a week ago at Purdue. They scored 42 first half points, 78 for the game, shot .491 from the field, made 18-of-19 free throws, and went 8-of-17 from behind the 3-point line in the win. Purdue meanwhile went just 2-of-15 from behind the arc. It was a big win for the Wolverines but clearly they were clicking on all cylinders that night. After a week off and playing their second straight road game vs a very defensive minded Badger team it is very doubtful they will enjoy the same sort of offensive success tonight. Once they fall behind it is only a matter of time before Wisconsin is covering.

The Badger nation enjoys a strong hatred for Michigan and everyone even remotely close to this program has not forgotten the previous meeting between these schools in Ann Arbor. Wisconsin blew a 15 point lead with just over six minutes to play to lose by a point. Wisconsin has won 14 straight Big 10 home games, are 24-1 in last 25 Big 10 home games, and have not lost a Big 10 home game under Bo Ryan. With the Big 10 regular season title on the line and huge revenge motivation, expect fans & players to be up for this one. Badgers roll.

Wisconsin  1 UNIT

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