Starting Five: Rutgers

Saturday, February 12

Madison, WI

1 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Rutgers

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Photo by: Brandon Harrison

February 10, 2022 | Men's Basketball

Wisconsin hosts Scarlet Knights for B1G showdown

By: Jose Montoya

Wisconsin

19-4, 10-3 Big Ten

Rutgers

14-9, 8-5 Big Ten

Game Coverage

Feb. 12 | 1 PM | Kohl Center | Madison, Wis.

MADISON, Wis. – The Badgers are back at the Kohl Center for a game against Rutgers on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT on FS1. Before Wisconsin welcomes the Scarlet Knights, here is the Starting Five:

1.) Revenge at Breslin: Wisconsin got revenge against Michigan State on Tuesday night, earning a 70-62 win and avenging an earlier season loss to the Spartans. It marked the Badgers' second-straight victory at the Breslin Center and UW's third win in the last four meetings between the two programs. Johnny Davis had a great night with 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the win. Tyler Wahl and Chucky Hepburn joined him in double figures with 11 points apiece.

Top Plays from last night's Big Ten road win at #17 Michigan State!

19-4 overall and 10-3 in the Big Ten#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/RnElCtYImC
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) February 9, 2022

2.) Back on Top: Three teams share a tie for first place in the Big Ten standings. Purdue, Illinois, and Wisconsin each hold a 10-3 record in conference play with seven games remaining in league play. Four of Wisconsin's remaining games will pit them against teams in the top half of the Big Ten, including three of those at home. Those home matchups include: Rutgers (2/12), Michigan (2/20), and Purdue (3/1).

3.) Defensive Matchup: Saturday's game between Wisconsin and Rutgers will see two of the top four defenses in the Big Ten face off against each other, as the Scarlet Knights are holding opponents to an average of 64.8 points per game (2nd) and Wisconsin is allowing just 66.1 points per game (4th). RU has only given up 70 points or more in six games this season, and only two Big Ten teams have hit that mark in games against the Scarlet Knights (Illinois and Northwestern).

4.) Johnny vs. Top 25: The sophomore sensation provides a big spark to the team when playing against AP top-25 ranked opponents. In those games, Davis is averaging 25.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He boasts two 30-point games in those matchups. The first came at the Maui Invitational in Las Vegas when he dropped 30 points against No. 12 Houston to push the Badgers to the championship game in the annual tournament. The All-America candidate helped UW knock off No. 3 Purdue on the road by scoring 37 points and adding 14 rebounds in the 74-69 victory.

5.) Wisconsin Against Rutgers: The Badgers and Scarlet Knights are set to meet for just the 13th time on the hardwood Saturday. UW holds a 9-3 lead in the all-time series, including a perfect 7-0 record away from Piscataway (5-0 at the Kohl Center, 2-0 at neutral sites). The teams met a year ago at Rutgers where Wisconsin came away with a 60-54 victory.