1. SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Friday will mark the fourth all-time meeting between Wisconsin and Chicago State. The Badgers hold a 3-0 advantage in the series, including an 82-70 win in the most recent meeting in 2017. UW is 3-0 against the Cougars at the Kohl Center.

2. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin won its seventh game in the last eight with a 75-60 win over Jacksonville State last Thursday at the Kohl Center. Jax State led just once (4-2 at 16:49 1H) before the Badgers took control and never gave back the lead. UW led by as much as 19.

The Badgers grabbed 10 steals, reaching double digits for the third time this season. UW doubled up JSU in the paint, outscoring the Gamecocks, 40-to-20 in the lane. UW matched a season low with 8 turnovers.

Head coach Greg Gard improved his overall record to 172-96 (.642). Wisconsin tallied its 100th win at the Kohl Center under Gard, with a record of 100-31 (.763) in his 9 seasons.

3. TAKING WHAT'S FREE

One of the staples of the Wisconsin program is getting to the free throw line and capitalizing. This season, the Badgers have been doing just that.

UW leads the Big Ten this season (29th NCAA) in free throw percentage (167-for-218, 76.6%). The Badgers are averaging 19.8 free throw attempts per game. Compared to last season, Wisconsin is attempting 5.5 more FTs per game this season (14.3 FTAs per game in 2022-23).

Individually, two Badgers rank top five in the Big Ten in free throw percentage. AJ Storr ranks third in the Big Ten making 31-of-34 (91.2%) at the line. John Blackwell ranks fifth, knocking in 32-of-37 attempts (86.5%) at the charity stripe.

4. OFFENSE REVVING UP

Wisconsin is averaging 73.6 ppg and shooting 45.5% from the field. Those numbers are up from 65.3 ppg and 41.4% shooting last season.

UW has scored 70+ in each of its last 4 games. That comes despite facing some of the most efficient defenses in the country, according to KenPom. Arizona's def. ranks #3, Michigan State ranks #9 and Marquette ranks #19. 

5. BIG THINGS FROM ‘BIG STEVE’

This season, Crowl is a leading contributor for UW, ranking 2nd in scoring (12.7 ppg), 1st in rebounds (7.3 rpg) and 2nd in assists (1.9 apg).

Crowl is a big reason why Wisconsin has won 7 of its last 8 games, averaging 14.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game during that stretch. He's shooting 64.7% FG, including 8-for 11 3FG.

Crowl has scored in double figures in eight games this season. Wisconsin is 31-9 when Crowl scores double figures. He's led the Badgers in scoring in three games this season (UW is 3-0 in those games). Wisconsin is 13-1 when Crowl is team's leading scorer.