MICHIGAN STATE
6-1, 0-1 B1G
Game Coverage
Dec. 25 | 11:30 a.m. | Breslin Center | East Lansing, Mich.
MADISON, Wis. — Winners of their last nine Big Ten games, the ninth-ranked Badgers travel to face No. 12 Michigan State on Christmas Day looking for their first road win of the season. Tip is set for 11:30 a.m. (CT) on FOX.
Since head coach
Greg Gard took over, Wisconsin is 60-35 (.632) in Big Ten play, owning the 3rd-best record in the conference, trailing only Michigan State (.726) and Purdue (.698).
THE STARTING FIVE
1) B1G-TIME STREAK:Â Wisconsin is looking to extend the Big Ten's longest active conference winning streak. UW's current nine-game conference win streak includes victories in each of its last thre road games: at Nebraska, at Michigan and at Indiana last season.
2) CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE FIGHT:Â Reigning conference co-champion Wisconsin won its 19th Big Ten title last season and fifth conference crown since 2002. Only Michigan State (6) has won more Big Ten titles since 2002. Ohio State also has five titles during that span.
3) SHOOTERS SHOOT:Â Â Wisconsin ranks 10th in the NCAA shooting 41.8% 3FG and averaging 9.3 triples per game. Led by
Micah Potter (47.6% 3FG), each of UW's starters averages one or more made 3 per game. All five have made at least nine triples this season.
The Badgers lead the Big Ten shooting 77.1% from the free throw line. UW shot a perfect 15-for-15 at the FT line Tue. vs. Nebraska, the first time the Badgers have shot 100% FT (min. 12 att) since a 14-for-14 day at Michigan State back on Feb. 16, 2012.
4) D-FENSE! D-FENSE! The Badgers continue to stifle opponents on defense, leading the Big Ten and ranking 14th in the NCAA allowing just 57.5 ppg this season. UW ranks third in the country in Ken Pomeroy's Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. In fact, Wisconsin is one of just two teams to rank among the nation's top 13 in both offensive (13) and defensive (3rd) efficiency according to KenPom.
5) BADGERS DON'T BEAT THEMSELVES:Â Wisconsin ranks 3rd in the nation averaging only 8.5 turnovers per game. Dating back to last season, UW has committed 11 or fewer turnovers in 26 consecutive games.
