By Danielle Daniels

2 13 2024

WISCONSIN GAME NOTES

https://uwbadgers.com/documents/2024/2/12/Gm25_WIS_Ohio_State_GameNotes_021324.pdf

OHIO STATE GAME NOTES

https://uwbadgers.com/documents/2024/2/12/Gm25_Ohio_State_OpponentNotes.pdf

Badgers return to the Kohl Center

MADISON, Wis. — The No. 20 Wisconsin men’s basketball team returns home to the Kohl Center to face Ohio State on Tuesday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. (CT) with the game being streamed live on Peacock.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:

1. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin lost at Rutgers, 78-56, this past Saturday. The Badgers were not able to overcome the Scarlet Knights’ strong shooting, as Rutgers finished the game shooting 30-for-67 from the field (44.8%) and 10-for-17 from behind the arc (58.8%).

Connor Essegian scored a season high 15 points. AJ Storr finished with 14 points, while Tyler Wahl (12 rebounds) and Steven Crowl (13 rebounds) combined for 25 boards.

2. SERIES HISTORY

Tuesday will mark the 174th meeting between Wisconsin and Ohio State. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series, 95-78.

The Badgers have won nine of the last 14 meetings. This includes the Badgers winning two of the last three at the Kohl Center.

This is the second meeting between the two teams this season, as the Badgers earned a 71-60 win back in January in Columbus. Wisconsin trailed 54-56 with 5:49 remaining, but closed the game on a 17-4 run. Max Klesmit finished with a team-high 18 points, scoring 12 of those in the final six minutes. AJ Storr scored 17 points, while Tyler Wahl had 11 points and five rebounds.

3. SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

The Buckeyes are 14-10 this season, which includes a 4-9 conference record. Ohio State is coming off a 79-75 double overtime win at home against Maryland on Saturday.

Sophomore Bruce Thornton leads the way for OSU, averaging 15.8 points and 4.2 assists on the season so far. Roddy Gayle Jr. is averaging 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, while Jamison Battle is putting up 14.2 points and 5.3 rebounds.

4. ALL STILL TO PLAY FOR

Despite the Badgers’ recent stretch, everything is still to play for in the Big Ten. Wisconsin sits in fourth place in the standings with a conference record of 8-5. The team is right behind Northwestern (8-5) and Illinois (8-4) at third and second in the standings, respectively.

With seven conference games remaining in the regular season schedule, the Badgers have plenty of opportunities to get back on track.

5. ON THE REBOUND

Wisconsin has made huge strides in the rebounding department when compared to a year ago. Last year, the Badgers owned a -3.4 margin on the glass, getting outrebounded 31.7 to 35.1. However, through 24 games this season, UW is +4.0 on the glass. This margin is the third best in the conference.

Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl have dominated the glass for the Badgers. Crowl is averaging 7.7 rebounds per game, which ranks seventh in the Big Ten. He is also grabbing 2.7 offensive rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the conference. Wahl ranks 11th in the conference with 2.2 offensive rebounds per game.

COURTESY WISCONSIN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS