1. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin won for the 10th time in its last 11 games with an 88-72 victory over Nebraska last Saturday at the Kohl Center.

The Badgers' 88 points were the team's most in a Big Ten game since reaching 89 vs. Ohio State on Jan. 12, 2017. UW scored 51 first-half points, the team's most in a Big Ten game since at least the 1998-99 season.

UW connected on 13-of-26 attempts from deep, the team's most triples since making 13 in the opening game of the 2021 NCAA Tournament against North Carolina on March 19, 2021.

Tyler Wahl scored a team-high 17 points, while Connor Essegian broke out for a season-high 12 points (4-7 3FG). Chucky Hepburn chipped in 13 points, AJ Storr added 10 points, while John Blackwell had 10 points and Steven Crowl had nine points.

2. SERIES HISTORY

Wednesday will mark the 173rd meeting between Wisconsin and Ohio State in a series that dates back to 1905. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series, 95-77.

The Badgers have won eight of the last 13 games overall against Ohio State dating back to 2015.

UW has won four of its last six games at Ohio State, including a 65-60 win last season in Columbus.

Wisconsin is 7-5 against the Buckeyes under head coach Greg Gard.

3. LEAVING NO DOUBT

Over the last two seasons, the Badgers played a total of 35 games decided by five points or less, going 25-10 in such games. However this season, Wisconsin has played ZERO games decided by fewer than 7 points.

Wisconsin has been finishing teams off this season. In five games, the Badgers hled a two-possession lead in the final 10 minutes and never allowed the opponent to get closer, extending the lead and going on to win by double figures.

In UW's Big Ten championship season in 2022, the Badgers were 12-2 in close games. Last season, they went 13-8 in such games.

4. QUALITY COMPETITION & RESUME

Wisconsin is at No. 13 in the latest NET Rankings (through games Jan. 7), going 6-3 overall in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games (3-3 in Quad 1).

Through Jan. 7, only Purdue (9) and Memphis (7) have more Quad 1+2 wins than Wisconsin.

Conversely, UW has no bad losses with all three coming from teams in the NET top 60: Arizona (3), Tennessee (5) and Providence (57).

Playing the 15th-toughest strength of schedule in the country, according to the NET Rankings, UW's average opponent NET rank is 10th-best in the nation.

5. CHUCKY AT THE POINT OF IT

Chucky Hepburn is not being relied on as heavily to score compared to last season, but his overall play has risen as a result.

Wisconsin has won 10 of its last 11 games and during that stretch Hepburn has averaged 7.6 points, 4.5 assists (1.0 turnover) and 1.8 steals per game.

On the season, Hepburn has maintained a 3.3 assist-to-turnover ratio (56 assists, 17 turnovers), which would rank as the fourth-best single-season mark in school history.

In fact, Hepburn has more steals (24) than he does turnovers (17) this season.