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Wisconsin Basketball: Predicting the Badgers’ final 10 games

By Christian Borman

Jan 23, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Micah Potter (11) looks to pass in the game with the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Micah Potter (11) looks to pass in the game with the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin Basketball
Jan 27, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nate Reuvers (35) and Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) in action during the game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Wisconsin (20-5) at Purdue (15-9) – March 2

This will be the first and only meeting between the Purdue and Wisconsin basketball teams this regular season. Purdue has been kind of odd this season. They are 11-6 overall and 6-4 in the Big Ten. They have some quality wins over teams like Ohio St. twice and Michigan St. in East Lansing. Then they have some stinkers where they get blown out, like their 15-point loss to Iowa and their 17-point loss to Michigan.

All of their conference losses have come to the hands of teams who were ranked at the time of their game. I would say Purdue has played the hardest part of the schedule and will play just three ranked teams in their final nine games.

This could be a trap game for the Badgers. It’s cliche to talk about focusing on one opponent at a time, but a big-time game with Iowa is coming up. Going to Purdue is never easy either. Unfortunately for Wisconsin fans, I think this is a game that will sneak up and surprise the Badgers.

Purdue 77 – Wisconsin 72

Wisconsin (20-6) at Iowa (20-6) – March 7

This is it. This is the game that I think could decide who wins the Big Ten. Of course, that all depends on what happens with Michigan, but I think this will be the game everyone is watching at the end of the season.

Last matchup prediction, I had Wisconsin squeaking by Iowa at home sending the Hawkeyes to a 17-5 record. After that game, the Hawkeyes are scheduled to play Penn St., Ohio St., and then at Michigan. The Badgers have experienced playing in Ann Arbor, and I’m sure they could tell you that it’s not easy. I think that is a game the Hawkeyes are likely to lose. Iowa will likely have made up their game with Nebraska before this point, so that would be a win for them. That would put each team at 20-6 heading into the last regular game for both teams.

Like I said earlier, it’s very hard to beat a good team twice in a season and even harder to beat a great team twice. Wisconsin will have to go to Iowa City for a chance to capture the Big Ten regular-season title. This is a very tall task, and a task I’m not sure this team is prepared to face. This is a very explosive Hawkeye team that is led by the probable Player of the Year in Luka Garza.

I think the Badgers put up a fight but fall in the end, giving Iowa at least a share of the Big Ten title heading into the Big Ten Tournament.

Iowa 84 – Wisconsin 72

These predictions would give Wisconsin a 20-7 record for the 2020-21 season.

Normally with a team as skilled and experienced as the Badgers, a 20-7 season would seem like a letdown. But let’s remember, the Badgers are playing in the Big Ten, arguably (not really) the best conference in the country. Teams in this conference spent all season beating each other up. It’s hard to have one team that cruises through the Big Ten.

Having gone through a Big Ten schedule and tournament, the Wisconsin basketball team will be seasoned and ready to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.

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