Wisconsin vs. Iowa: Can the Badgers Repeat Their Dominant Performance?

The No. 21 Wisconsin Badgers (18-5, 8-4 Big Ten) travel to Iowa City on Saturday to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (13-9, 4-7 Big Ten) in a crucial Big Ten matchup. The last time these two teams met, Wisconsin set a school record with 21 made three-pointers in a 116-85 rout.

That performance left a mark on Iowa, with some players still remembering the postgame remarks from Wisconsin’s Kamari McGee, who stated that the Hawkeyes “didn’t care about defense.”

Forward Even Brauns acknowledged that while Iowa doesn’t need extra motivation, McGee’s comment is still on “the forefront of some guys’ minds.”

With Wisconsin riding an 8-2 record in its last 10 conference games and Iowa struggling to stay afloat, this rematch could have major implications for both teams.

Wisconsin: Keeping Up the Fast Pace

Badgers’ Season So Far:

• Big Ten Standings: Tied for 4th
• Record: 18-5 overall, 8-4 Big Ten
• Last Game: Defeated Indiana 76-64

Wisconsin is no longer playing at the slow tempo typically seen under head coach Greg Gard. This year, the Badgers have embraced a faster pace, averaging 81.3 points per game while maintaining one of the lowest turnover rates in the nation.

The Badgers’ latest win against Indiana was a strong defensive effort, as they jumped out to a 26-4 lead and never looked back.

Key Players to Watch

• John Tonje: 18.5 PPG (career high)
• John Blackwell: 15.2 PPG
• Max Klesmit: 10.2 PPG
• Nolan Winter: 10.2 PPG

If the Badgers can replicate their deadly three-point shooting from the first meeting with Iowa, they will be tough to stop.

Iowa: Struggling to Find Defensive Answers

Hawkeyes’ Season So Far:

• Big Ten Standings: Near the bottom
• Record: 13-9 overall, 4-7 Big Ten
• Last Game: Lost 90-81 to No. 7 Purdue

Iowa has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the country (85.5 PPG, 5th in Division I), but defense remains a major concern.

Their latest loss to Purdue was another example of those struggles. The Hawkeyes allowed 54 second-half points and quickly found themselves in a double-digit deficit.

With leading scorer Owen Freeman (16.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG) out for the season due to a finger injury, the Hawkeyes are even more dependent on their perimeter shooting.

Key Players to Watch

• Payton Sandfort: 16.3 PPG (nine 20+ point games)
• Josh Dix: 13.9 PPG (scored 27 vs. Purdue)
• Even Brauns: Defensive anchor

Iowa has won three of the last four matchups in Iowa City, and their strong home-court advantage could be a factor in slowing down the Badgers.

Keys to the Game

Wisconsin Must:

✅ Keep up the three-point shooting: If they hit from deep like they did in January, Iowa won’t be able to keep up.
✅ Start fast: The Badgers dominated Indiana early, and a similar start against Iowa could put the game out of reach.
✅ Maintain defensive pressure: If they can limit Iowa’s three-point opportunities, they’ll control the tempo.

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Iowa Must:

✅ Play with defensive urgency: They can’t afford another defensive collapse like in the Purdue game.
✅ Win the rebounding battle: With Freeman out, it will be up to Brauns and Sandfort to step up.
✅ Get hot from three-point range: If they can match Wisconsin’s shooting, they’ll have a chance to pull off the upset.

Game Details

📅 Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA
📺 TV: ESPN

Can Iowa make defensive adjustments and even the season series, or will Wisconsin’s high-powered offense secure another convincing win?