1. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin put on a show in front of the Kohl Center crowd, overpowering Nebraska to an 83-55 victory. The Badger offense was rolling from the get-go, jumping out to a 19-2 start, ultimately securing a double-digit lead at half. UW continued the momentum in the second half, finishing the game 17-for-37 on 3-point attempts while holding Nebraska to just 33.9% (21-for-62) field goal shooting.

John Tonje once again led the Badgers in scoring, finishing with 27 points. He hit 5 3-pointers for the second-straight game, one of four Big Ten players to accomplish that this season. John Blackwell added 14 points, while Kamari McGee scored 11 points off the bench. 14 different Badgers played in the game, with nine of them playing 10+ minutes.

The Badgers 17 3-pointers in the game matched the third best total in school history, after previously setting the Big Ten single-game record with 21 3-pointers against Iowa earlier in the month. UW continues to have one of its most prolific scoring seasons ever, scoring 80+ points for the 13th time this season, which last happened during the 1970-71 season.

2. “CORNER-THREE” MCGEE

No player better exemplifies Wisconsin’s new high scoring, 3-point shooting identity than Kamari McGee. McGee had a stellar game against Nebraska scoring 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting from downtown. The Badgers are 8-0 all time, and 7-0 this season, when he scores 10+ points.

Kamari unlocked his 3-point shot this season. After attempting just 11 3-pointers in 25 games last season, McGee is now up to 47 attempts in 20 games. He’s hit 3+ 3-pointers in five games in his career, four of which have come this season alone. McGee is not only taking more 3s, but is making them at an extremely efficient rate. His 55.3% clip from 3 leads all players in the nation with at least 47 attempts.

McGee is more than a 3-point specialist, however. He is one of the team's best passers, and the only player in the Big Ten with 40 or more assists and less than 13 turnovers. Despite coming off the bench in all but one game this season, he is tied for the team lead in steals (20). Kamari has upped his game this season, and has proved to be one of the conference’s best sixth-men.

3. LOCKDOWN

Much has been said about the Badger’s ability to score this season, but last game showcased an equally impressive defensive effort from the team. Wisconsin held Nebraska to just 55 points, the second lowest total of any opponent this season, and the lowest of any Big Ten foe. Nolan Winter had a great defensive presence in the interior, finishing with a career-high two blocks.

Throughout the game, the Badger’s defense often created their offensive opportunities. Jack Janicki had a highlight poster dunk that was made possible by his steal on the other end. Wisconsin forced 11 Nebraska turnovers and scored 17 points off of them. 

The Badgers held the Cornhuskers to 11-for-32 on 2-point shots, the first time Wisconsin has held a Big Ten opponent to just 11 2-pointers since February of 2022. Only one Nebraska player reached double-digit scoring figures, Brice Williams with 11 points.

4. TAKE A LOOK AT THE TERRAPINS

Wisconsin travels to Maryland to face the Terrapins on Wednesday. Maryland sports a 16-5 record with a 6-4 record in the Big Ten - good for fifth in the conference. The Terrapins won their last three conference matchups against Nebraska, Illinois, and most recently against Indiana on a buzzer beater.

Kevin Willard is at the helm of the Terrapins, his third season coaching with the team. He’s accumulated a 54-35 record with Maryland, taking them to an NCAA Tournament in 2022-23. Willard has transformed Maryland this season into a team that ranks in the top 25 in both offensive and defensive rating.

Maryland boasts five players averaging double-figures. Center Derick Queen is one of the top freshman in the conference with 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Junior Ja’Kobi Gillespie takes on point guard duties with 14.6 points and 4.7 assists per game. Senior Julian Reese is another adept big, averaging 13.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Rodney Rice and Selton Miguel round out the scoring at 12.6 points and 11.5 points per game respectively.

5. SERIES HISTORY

Wisconsin and Maryland will face-off for the 24th time on Wednesday. UW currently leads the all-time series 15-8, and are winners of 5-of-the-last-6 matchups. Since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014, the Badgers are 10-6 against the Terrapins. Maryland leads the series, 5-4, in games played at College Park.

The two teams played each other twice last season, with Wisconsin pulling away with both victories. The Badgers won 74-70 at home, before taking down the Terrapins 87-56 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. 

Max Klesmit scored 16 points in the first game, going 8-for-8 on free throw attempts in the game. Steven Crowl scored 17 points in 18 minutes during the Big Ten Tournament game, going 7-for-8 from the field. In two games against Maryland, John Blackwell avearages 13.5 points per game with a 53.8 FG%.