Wisconsin Badgers vs Michigan Wolverines Picks and Predictions December 3rd 2024

No. 11 Badgers Entering ‘Deep Water’ in Big Ten Opener vs. Michigan

After an unblemished 8-0 run through nonconference play, No. 11 Wisconsin faces its first major test of the season Tuesday night when it hosts Michigan in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The Badgers are off to their best start since the 2013-14 season, which saw them open with 16 consecutive wins.

Wisconsin capped its nonconference slate with a 74-53 win over Chicago State on Saturday. Despite the strong start, head coach Greg Gard understands the stakes will rise significantly as conference play begins.

“We know now we jump back into deep water Tuesday night with league play opening up,” Gard said. “We’ve got a really good Michigan team coming in here, so we use Sunday and Monday to prep for that and get ready to jump into Big Ten play.”

Graduate transfer John Tonje leads Wisconsin with 22.9 points per game and scored a game-high 22 against Chicago State. Tonje also anchors a Badgers squad that boasts the nation’s best free-throw shooting percentage (86.4 percent).

Wisconsin’s balanced attack includes guards John Blackwell (14.9 points per game) and 7-footers Nolan Winter (9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds) and Steven Crowl (8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds).

“I think we’re all excited to finally play some bigger-name teams, some Big Ten teams,” Crowl said. “Michigan’s coming off a championship down in Fort Myers … They’re going to come in here hungry. I think we’re all looking forward to those bigger-time games.”

Michigan Eyes Continued Momentum

Michigan (6-1) has been idle since a commanding 78-53 win over then-No. 22 Xavier in the Fort Myers Tip-Off last Wednesday. The Wolverines, winners of five straight, dominated the paint against Xavier with a 38-20 scoring advantage while holding their opponents to just 34.5 percent shooting.

“That was an extremely gritty performance, especially defensively,” Michigan head coach Dusty May said. “We were as active as we’ve been, we were as physical as we’ve been. It’s a good starting point for us, as we have a long season in front of us and a lot of room to grow.”

Tre Donaldson leads the Wolverines’ balanced scoring with 13 points per game, while Roddy Gayle Jr. (12 points per game) and Nimari Burnett (10 points per game) add offensive depth. Center Danny Wolf recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds against Xavier, and he averages 10.9 points and a team-high 9.9 rebounds per game.

Looking for Free NCAAB Picks? Discover today’s top free college basketball picks for every game.

Wolf and 7-foot-1 Vladislav Goldin, who have combined for 23 blocks this season, will challenge Wisconsin’s Crowl and Winter in the paint.

“Wolf is really skilled,” Gard said. “The little bit I’ve watched of him, he’s like a 7-foot point guard with handling the ball, and they’ve got other good players around them, as well.”

A Heated Rivalry Renewed

Michigan has won the last two matchups, including a 72-68 victory in Ann Arbor last season. However, Wisconsin has historically defended its home court well, winning eight of the last 11 meetings in Madison.

The game presents an early chance for both teams to make a statement in the competitive Big Ten race, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling conference season.