The Starting Five: Northwestern

Wednesday, March 4

Madison

8 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Northwestern

Tickets

The Starting Five: Northwestern

March 02, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Wisconsin Game Notes Northwestern Game Notes

Badgers seek seventh straight win, host Senior Night on Wednesday

Wisconsin

19-10, 12-6

NORTHWESTERN

7-21, 2-16

Game Coverage

March 4 | 8 p.m. CT | Kohl Center | Madison, Wis.

MADISON, Wis. — Winners in six straight and just one game out of first place in the Big Ten standings, Wisconsin looks to keep it rolling Wednesday night hosting Northwestern at the Kohl Center. Tip is set for 8 p.m. (CT) on BTN.

Prior to Wednesday's game, the Badgers will honor seniors Brevin Pritzl and Michael Ballard. UW will also recognize former player Rashard Griffith (1994-95), who returned to campus and will earn his degree in May.

1) FEBRUARY FORD: Junior forward Aleem Ford has really stepped up his game as of late for the Badgers. During the month of February (seven games), Ford averaged 10.9 points, 45.2% 3FG (14-31) shooting and 6.6 rebounds per game. Including his 10-point outing against Minnesota on Mar. 1, the Georgia native has posted six double-digit scoring games in the last eight games for a total of 13 on this season alone.

2) ON THE RISE: The Badgers have cracked the AP Top 25 rankings for the first time this season at No. 24 following Wisconsin's sixth-straight victory Sunday night over Minnesota. UW has a Big Ten-best eight Quadrant One wins: #9 Maryland, #13 Michigan State, #16 Ohio State, #24 Marquette, #16 OSU, #25 Michigan, #26 Penn State and #69 Tennessee. UW is 7-1 versus the top 26 of the NET rankings.

3) THE CENTENNIAL: Head coach Gred Gard is just one victory shy of 100 career victories as head coach, all earned at the helm of the Badgers. A win over Northwestern would make Gard the second-fastest Wisconsin coach to 100 wins in the NCAA tournament era (157 games). Only Bo Ryan reached 100 faster (138 games).

4) BIG OFF THE BENCH: Micah Potter has been electric for the Badgers since he became eligible to play on Dec. 21. In Big Ten play alone, the Ohio native is averaging 10.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while helping UW to an 11-5 conference record. Potter has reached double figures in 10 of his 18 appearances for the Badgers, leading UW in scoring in three of those contests.

5) SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN: The Wildcats are 2-16 in Big Ten Conference play this season and 7-21 overall. Northwestern is led by sophomore forward Miller Kopp, who is averaging 13.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game this season. NU is fresh off an 81-76 road victory at Nebraska and enters Madison 3-4 in its past seven contests at the Kohl Center.

LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin 71, Minnesota 69

Brad Davison's 20 points led the Badgers past the Golden Gophers 71-69 in a dramatic border-battle at the Kohl Center.

Davison led a contingent of four Badgers in double-figures with 20 points (6-for-13), seven rebounds and five assists.
- Brevin Pritzl followed with 15 points (5-for-11) and three rebounds.
- Micah Potter and Aleem Ford added identical lines with 10 points and six rebounds apiece.
The Badgers finished 17-for-24 (70.8 percent) from the charity stripe in the win.
UW earned their sixth-straight victory Sunday night over the Gophers.
- The last time Wisconsin fell short was against Minnesota in Minneapolis where the Badgers were defeated 52-70.

ALL-TIME VS. NORTHWESTERN

Wisconsin and Northwestern will be playing for the 184th time on Wednesday night in the Kohl Center.
The Badgers lead the all-time series, 118-65 and UW holds a 67-23 edge in Madison.
UW has won four of the last five games against Northwestern. NU's lone win came at the Kohl Center on Feb. 1 2018 in a 60-52 victory.
- Wisconsin is 4-3 in the past seven matchups between the B1G rivals in Madison.
In the most recent contest, Wisconsin earned a 69-64 victory in Evanston on Feb. 23 2019.
- Four Badgers scored in double-figures in the victory: Brad Davison (16), Ethan Happ (14), D'Mitrik Trice (14) and Khalil Iverson (11).
The Badgers are shooting 44.1 percent (49-for-111) over their last two matchups against the Wildcats.
- Brad Davison has a combined 34 points (11-for-25) against Northwestern in the past two outings.