No. 24 Wisconsin Looks to Stay Hot Against Ohio State

The Wisconsin Badgers are back in the AP Top 25 at No. 24 and riding a wave of momentum. They’re set to host Ohio State in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday, aiming for their sixth straight win and a chance to keep climbing in the Big Ten standings.

Wisconsin’s Winning Groove

The Badgers (13-3, 3-2 Big Ten) have turned things around in a big way. After losing three straight earlier this season, they’ve now reeled off five wins in a row. Their latest victory, an 80-59 blowout of Minnesota, showcased how dangerous this team can be—even without guard Max Klesmit, who sat out with an ankle injury.

Coach Greg Gard is hopeful about Klesmit’s return. “We’ll see how he responds,” Gard said on Monday. “He’s feeling better every day.”

Steven Crowl’s Big-Time Play

One of the biggest reasons for Wisconsin’s success is Steven Crowl. The 7-footer has been a force lately, averaging 16.6 points and 6.4 rebounds over the past five games while shooting a ridiculous 76% from the field. He’s also stretched defenses by hitting 6 of 11 from beyond the arc during this stretch.

“An aggressive Steve is a good Steve,” Gard said. “He’s been assertive and dominant in his own way.”

The Badgers are firing on all cylinders offensively, averaging 83.1 points per game. John Tonje leads the team with 18.3 points per game, but Crowl, John Blackwell (15.4 points), and Nolan Winter (11.0 points) have all stepped up in big moments. Let’s not forget: Wisconsin also leads the country in free-throw shooting at an impressive 85.1%.

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Ohio State’s Struggles

The Buckeyes (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten) are having a tougher time lately, especially against top competition. They’ve lost three straight games to ranked teams, including a heartbreaker last Thursday against Oregon. Despite leading late, Ohio State couldn’t seal the deal and fell 73-71.

Turnovers have been a big issue. Over the past three games, the Buckeyes have coughed it up 44 times. Coach Jake Diebler knows it’s a problem: “We can’t have self-inflicted issues. We’ve got to be better.”

Players to Watch

For Ohio State, Bruce Thornton is the go-to guy, averaging 17.1 points per game. Devin Royal adds 13.9 points and leads the team with 7.4 rebounds. But if the Buckeyes want to upset Wisconsin, they’ll need more consistency from the rest of the roster.

History Says…

Wisconsin has dominated this matchup recently, winning seven of the last 10 meetings, including a 62-54 win in Madison last season. Crowl posted a double-double in that game, and he’ll be a key factor again on Tuesday.

The Bottom Line

Wisconsin’s home-court advantage and recent hot streak make them tough to beat. But Ohio State has the talent to compete—if they can cut down on mistakes and play a complete game. This is shaping up to be a hard-fought Big Ten battle.