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Preview: Virginia at Wisconsin
Wisconsin has enjoyed a strong run against ACC opponents in recent years, a trend it hopes to continue when the Badgers welcome former assistant coach Tony Bennett and Virginia to Kohl Center as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Badgers are just 6-7 all-time in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but they’ve won six of their past seven games against ACC teams and are 4-1 at Kohl Center in the event. The Badgers are coming off a 77-70 win over Arkansas and have suffered both of their losses to ranked opponents (Florida and Creighton).
Bennett, an assistant at Wisconsin from 2001-03, brings in a Cavaliers team that has won its past three games by comfortable margins since a stunning loss to Delaware in the NIT Season Tip-Off. It’s the third meeting of the teams but the first since 1999, when Wisconsin won 66-56 in the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska. Virginia won the first meeting 86-78 at the Milwaukee Classic during the 1974-75 season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
ABOUT VIRGINIA (4-2): The Cavaliers thrive on playing strong defense – they hold opponents to 53 points per game and 37.2 percent shooting – but they’ve heated up on offense lately, shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 48.8 percent from 3-point range during the three-game win streak. The Cavaliers have shown solid balance on the offensive end with seven players averaging at least 6.5 points. Junior guard Joe Harris (15 points, 4.5 rebounds) leads the way and junior forward Akil Mitchell (11.7 points, 9.3 rebounds) is the only other player in double figures. Virginia is young, with five freshmen having started at least one game.
ABOUT WISCONSIN (4-2): Coach Bo Ryan’s teams typically are known for their tough defense as well – Wisconsin led the nation in scoring defense (53.2 points) last season – but this year’s Badgers have been efficient at the offensive end too. They’ve scored 75.8 points per game and reached 70 in five of six games. Senior big man Jared Berggren (15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds) leads the way along with junior guard Ben Brust (11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds). Freshman forward Sam Dekker is averaging 11.5 points off the bench, and senior Ryan Evans (10.5 points, 7 rebounds) also averages double digits.
TIP-INS
1. The Badgers average 14.3 offensive rebounds per game and have collected double-digit offensive rebounds in all six games.
2. Virginia is 20-1 under Bennett when holding opponents under 50 points – including 3-0 this season – and 27-2 when scoring at least 70.
3. Wisconsin is 85-6 in non-conference home games since under Ryan (since 2001-02) and has won 26 of its past 27 home games against non-conference opponents.
PREDICTION: Wisconsin 64, Virginia 61
