Today at 1:15pm on the Big Ten Network, the 12 ranked
Illinois Fighting Illini 14-3 (1-2) visit the Kohl Center to take on the
Wisconsin Badgers 11-4 (2-0). Illinois comes into this game having lost 2 of their first 3 Big Ten games after going 13-1 in nonconference play. Their only Big Ten win so far was a 74-55 win at home against a ranked Ohio State team. They opened conference play with a loss at unranked Purdue, and lost on Wednesday at home against number 9 Minnesota. Their leading scorer is Brandon Paul, who is averaging 18.6 points per game. He has scored in double figures in every game this season, including seven 20 point games this season. Wisconsin comes into this game having won their first two conference game this season, with a home win against Penn State on January 3 and a road win at Nebraska on Sunday. They are led by Jared Berggren, who is leading the team with 13.3 points per game. The Badgers have three players averaging in double figures. Wisconsin is very good at home against Bo Ryan, and I think they will go to 3-0 in the tough Big Ten with a huge confidence boosting win today.
