Northwestern Wildcats vs Wisconsin Badgers Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

No. 17 Wisconsin Aims to End Road Struggles Against Northwestern

Wisconsin will look to snap its road losing streak when it travels to Evanston on Saturday to face a Northwestern team that has been tough to beat at home. Both teams are coming off losses and are eager to get back on track in Big Ten play.

Wisconsin Searching for Road Success

The 17th-ranked Badgers (16-5, 6-4 Big Ten) have struggled away from home recently, dropping two straight road games, including a 76-68 loss at Maryland on Wednesday. Before that, Wisconsin picked up a dominant 83-55 home win over Nebraska, but that was sandwiched between road defeats to UCLA and Maryland.

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Shooting woes plagued the Badgers against Maryland, as they hit just 37.3% from the field and 9 of 27 from three-point range. Despite entering the game as the nation’s best free-throw shooting team, they also faltered at the line, going 15 of 21.

Head coach Greg Gard emphasized the need for better execution in tough environments.

“Against a really good team on the road, you obviously have to take care of the ball, which I thought we did a much better job in the second half,” Gard said. “Not as well in the first half, and then you’ve got to be able to make some plays and make shots.”

John Tonje led Wisconsin with 23 points against Maryland, but no other Badger scored more than 10. Tonje has been the team’s most consistent scorer, averaging 18.2 points per game while knocking down a team-high 44 three-pointers. John Blackwell (16.0 ppg) has also been a key contributor, while Nolan Winter (10.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and Steven Crowl (10.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg) provide inside presence.

A major concern for Wisconsin is the slump of senior guard Max Klesmit, who shot 43.7% from the field and 39.8% from three last season but has seen those numbers drop to 33.3% and 28.3%, respectively. Against Maryland, he struggled again, shooting 1 of 8 from the field and 1 of 6 from deep.

The Badgers know that their defensive success will be critical—when they hold opponents under 70 points, they are 28-1 dating back to last season.

Northwestern Hoping to Defend Home Court

Northwestern (12-9, 3-7 Big Ten) has been strong at home, winning 10 of 12 games, but is coming off a 79-72 loss to Rutgers on Wednesday. The Wildcats’ defense was uncharacteristically poor, allowing 57.1% shooting, including 8 of 14 from three-point range.

Head coach Chris Collins was frustrated by the lack of energy and defensive intensity.

“I’m a little bit at a loss for words,” Collins admitted. “I can live with losing, but I just didn’t love our energy, our fight and defensive intensity in the first half.”

Jalen Leach led Northwestern with 23 points, while Nick Martinelli had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, playing all 40 minutes.

Martinelli has been the Wildcats’ top scorer this season, averaging 19.6 points per game, while Brooks Barnhizer (17.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg) is a force on the glass. Leach provides additional scoring at 14.3 ppg.

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Despite their strong home record, Northwestern ranks 16th in the 18-team Big Ten in scoring at 74.1 points per game. Collins knows that the team must win with defense.

“We’re not going to be a team that’s going to score 85, 90, 95 points in a game,” Collins said. “We’re going to work hard to get into the 70s, and we’ve got to keep teams in the 60s. When teams are constantly 80, 80-plus, it’s going to be really hard for us.”

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Wisconsin’s Perimeter Shooting vs. Northwestern’s Defense
   • The Badgers struggled from three-point range against Maryland. If they shoot poorly again, Northwestern will have a strong chance to defend its home court.
2. John Tonje vs. Northwestern’s Defense
   • Tonje has been Wisconsin’s most reliable scorer. If he gets going early, it could open up opportunities for the rest of the Badgers’ offense.
3. Nick Martinelli vs. Wisconsin’s Interior Defense
   • Martinelli has been a consistent scorer and rebounder for the Wildcats. The Badgers will need to contain him in the paint.

What to Expect

Wisconsin has had Northwestern’s number in recent years, winning eight of the last 10 meetings, including a season sweep last year. However, the Wildcats have been tough at home, and the Badgers have struggled on the road.

If Wisconsin can shoot better from the perimeter and keep Northwestern from controlling the tempo, they should have a good chance to snap their road skid. But if the Wildcats lock in defensively and keep the game in the 60s, they could secure a much-needed home win.

Will the Badgers bounce back, or can Northwestern defend its home court once again? The battle in Evanston will provide the answer.