Wisconsin Badgers
Iowa
Five Things to Know: Wisconsin vs. Iowa
December 29, 2023 | Men's Basketball
Badgers resume Big Ten play at home
MADISON, Wis. — The No. 23 Wisconsin men's basketball team rings in its new year by resuming Big Ten play with a home game against Iowa on Tuesday. Tip is set for 6 p.m. (CT) on Big Ten Network.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:
1. ALL-TIME vs. IOWA
Wisconsin holds an 88-85 all-time record against the Hawkeyes, which includes a 55-30 record at home.
The Badgers are on a three-game win streak against Iowa, beating the side, 64-52, last time out on Feb. 22, 2023. That game saw Connor Essegian score 17 points, while Tyler Wahl had a double-double to lead UW to a win at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers are an even 6-6 against Iowa under head coach Greg Gard.
2. SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Hawkeyes hold an 8-5 record this season, but are seeking their first Big Ten win after opening league play 0-2. Iowa is currently on a three-game win streak after beating Northern Illinois, 103-74, last time out on Friday.
Similar to the Badgers, Iowa has multiple players who pose a threat on offense. The biggest is graduate student Ben Krikke, who is averaging 16.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. The side has three other players averaging 10+ points per game in Payton Sandfort (13.7), Tony Perkins (13.5) and Patrick McCaffrey (10.2).
3. LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin is coming off a dominant 80-53 win over Chicago State at the Kohl Center on Friday, Dec. 22. It was another strong performance for the Badgers, who scored 70+ points for the sixth consecutive game.
Sophomore AJ Storr scored a career-high 29 points in the win, reaching the 20-point mark for the 3rd time this season and fifth time in his career. Storr has scored double figures in 10 of 12 games this season for the Badgers.
Steven Crowl put up 13 points to go with four rebounds and three assists, while Tyler Wahl posted 11 points and four rebounds. Freshman John Blackwell continued to impress, matching his career high with nine rebounds.
4. HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Wisconsin has now won eight of its last nine games and improved to 9-3 on the season after a win against Chicago State. The Badgers have been particularly formiddable at the Kohl Center this season.
The Badgers are now 6-1 at home and have scored an average of 79 points per game in that stretch. The team is averaging 67 points per game away from home.
The two highest scoring games for the Badgers this season have each happened at home, as Wisconsin dropped 105 points on Arkansas State (11/6) and 80 points against Chicago State (12/22).
5. DOWN TO BUSINESS
It may be a new calendar year, but the team remains locked in on its upcoming contests.
The Badgers played their final non-conference game of the season against Chicago State on Dec. 22. The focus is now only on the Big Ten, with the remaining 19 games of the regular season all being conference games.
Wisconsin follows up Tuesday's game against Iowa with a showdown against Nebraska. That game will also be played at the Kohl Center and is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, Jan. 6.
