Wisconsin Badgers
Butler
Starting Five: Badgers ready for Indy Classic
December 12, 2024 | Men's Basketball
UW to play Butler on Saturday
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin men’s basketball team looks to snap its three-game losing streak against Butler, participating in the Indy Classic at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday.
Tip on Saturday is set for 1:30 p.m. (CT) on Big Ten Network.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:
1. LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin dropped its first conference road game of the season at Illinois on Tuesday night. The Badgers were within reach for the entire game, but were unable to take a lead during the second half. Wisconsin cut the deficit to four points with 0:28 remaining, but Illinois hit its free throws to seal the game.
Sophomore Nolan Winter led the team with 15 points, matching his career-high. John Tonje (14), Max Klesmit (13) and John Blackwell (10) each scored in double figures as well.
The Badgers scored 80 points for the seventh time this season, and hit double-digit 3s for the seventh time – matching their total from all of last season. Wisconsin was unable to hold off Illinois on the glass, however, allowing 15 offensive rebounds and 16 second-chance points.
2. WINTER IS COMING
Nolan Winter scored his career-high of 15 points for the second time this season, having also previously done so against Holy Cross in the first game of the season. Winter led the team in points (15), rebounds (7) and steals (2) during the Illinois game, with 13 of his points coming in the second half alone. Additionally, Winter matched his career-high of 29 minutes played.
The sophomore has taken one of the biggest jumps of any Badger from last season. He averaged 2.4 points per game last season, but now sits at a mark of 9.7 points per game. He leads the team in both field goal percentage (61.2%) and rebounds per game (5.4), including a team-best 20 offensive boards.
Winter is especially effective around the rim. His 75.0% shooting on 2-Point attempts this season leads all Big Ten players. No Badger in program history has ever shot 75.0% percent from 2.
3. BATTLING THE BULLDOGS
Wisconsin is one of four teams that will compete in the 2024 Indy Classic, an annual doubleheader held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Badgers will face Butler in the showcase.
Butler is 7-3 to start its season, with signature wins against SMU, Mississippi State, ranked No. 25 at the time, as well as Northwestern. The team has lost its last two matchups however, against No. 17 Houston and most recently against North Dakota State. Head coach Thad Matta is in his third season with the team since 2022-23, sporting a 39-36 (.520) record in that span. Matta previously coached Butler during the 2000-01 season, leading the team to a 24-8 record.
Leading the team is senior guard Jahmyl Telfort, averaging 17.0 points per game while shooting 45.7% from 3-point range. Helping the charge is senior Pierre Brooks, averaging 14.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Butler is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, ranking 16th amongst all Division I schools with a 40.1% 3-point rate. A big part of that is senior transfer from Iowa, Patrick McCaffrey, scoring 12.6 points per game on 45.9% from 3-point range.
4. SERIES HISTORY
It’s been over ten years since Wisconsin and Butler last matched up. That game was a Sweet Sixteen contest during the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Butler won 61-54, and went on to make the championship game, finishing runner-up to UConn.
Wisconsin leads the all-time series against the Bulldogs, 17-14, but trail when playing in Indianapolis 4-6. The two teams have only met six times since 1960. The last time Wisconsin beat Butler while playing in Indianapolis was on December 10, 1988.
Butler has won the last three matchups against Wisconsin, dating back to 1990. Wisconsin’s last win over the Bulldogs came on December 9, 1989.
5. DEPTH CHART
Wisconsin’s 8-3 start to its season is due in-part to its deep rotation. Nine Badgers have played in every game this season, with each of those players averaging over 9.9 minutes per game. Wisconsin is one of three Power Four teams that meet that standard, with at least 10 games played.
All nine of those players scored in UW’s last game out against Illinois, the fifth time this season that nine or more players have scored for the Badgers.
UCLA, Michigan State and Wisconsin are the only teams in the conference to sport nine players averaging over 1.9 points, having played in every game this season.
