Oral Roberts at 12 Wisconsin Game Preview

Tonight at 7:30pm on the Big Ten Network, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (2-0, 0-0 Southland) visit the Kohl Center in Madison to take on the 12 Wisconsin Badgers (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten) as part of the Cancun Challenge. Oral Roberts enters this game after being defeated at Saint Louis 72-55 in their opening game of the Cancun Challenge on Thursday night. ORU took a 31-28 lead into halftime, but was outscored 44-24 in the second half en route to a blowout loss. Shawn Glover led the team with 18 points. Obi Emegano leads the team with an average of 19 points per game, and Korey Billbury is the team leader in rebounds with 8.5 per game. Wisconsin enters this contest after starting the season 5-0, with their latest triumph being an 88-64 decision over Bowling Green on Thursday night in their opening game of the Cancun Challenge. Ben Brust led the team with 19 points, as the Badgers scored 44 points in each half on their way to the victory. After scoring a Wisconsin single-game record with 43 points on Tuesday night in a win at home against North Dakota, and a strong follow-up performance on Thursday night, Frank Kaminsky leads the Badgers with 16.6 points per game, as Brust leads the team with 6 rebounds a game. This should be an exciting game, as the Golden Eagles give up on average 69 points per game, while the Badgers score to the tune of 81 points per game. Look for Wisconsin's offense to test the ORU's defense. Even though they are known for their methodical offense under Bo Ryan, I think that the Badgers will continue to score at a blistering pace and win this game easily at home.

Indiana at 7 Florida State NCAA Super Regional Game 2 Preview

Today at Noon on ESPNU, the Indiana Hoosiers (46-14, 17-7 Big Ten) take on the 7 seeded Florida State Seminoles (47-15, 20-10 ACC) in Game 2 of the Tallahassee Super Regional. This is a best-of-3 series, and Indiana leads 1-0. With a Hoosier win, Indiana would advance to their first College World Series in school history. Indiana beat Florida State yesterday 10-9. They had a 10-6 lead going into the bottom of the 8th, and held on for the win. Kyle Schwarber led the Hoosiers going 2-4 with two runs, a walk, and four RBI's. Aaron Slegers will be on the hill for Indiana today. He comes into this game with a record of 9-1 and an ERA of 1.94. Schwarber leads the team in home runs with 17. Scott Donley leads the team with 56 RBI's.Florida State is looking to come back after a defeat yesterday in which they held a 5-4 lead going into the 6th inning. Giovanny Alfonzo led the Seminoles going 4-5 with three hits, a walk, and two RBI's. Scott Sitz will be on the mound for Florida State today. He enters this one with a record of 10-1 and an ERA of 1.59. Sitz has been named a finalist for the Gregg Olson Award, given to college baseball's breakout player.This should be a great game, but look for Florida State to come into the game with a sense of urgency and force a deciding game 3 with a win today.

9 Wichita State vs. 2 Ohio State West Regional Final

Tonight at 6pm on CBS, the 9 seeded Wichita State Shockers 29-8 (12-6 Missouri Valley) take on the 2 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes 29-7 (13-5 Big Ten) in a West Regional Final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. After taking down Pittsburgh, Gonzaga, and La Salle, the Shockers are vying for their first trip to the Final Four since 1965. The latest win in a string of victories came in an impressive 72-58 Sweet 16 victory over La Salle on Thursday night. It was a dominating showing by the Shockers after they led by 16 going into the second half. Point guard Malcolm Armstead led WSU with 18 points. Cleanthony Early is the team leader in points with 13.7 points per game. Ohio State earned another thrilling finish Thursday night after defeating Arizona 73-70. LaQuinton Ross drained a long three with under three seconds remaining to give the Buckeyes the win. Last Sunday, Aaron Craft nailed a three with 0.2 seconds left to give them the victory over Iowa State. DeShaun Thomas leads the team with 19.7 points per game. This should be a great matchup between the point guards Malcolm Armstead and Aaron Craft. Look for the Buckeyes to come out with an impressive win and march onto the Final Four for the second consecutive year.

4 Michigan State at 18 Ohio State Game Preview

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Today at 3pm on CBS, the 4 Michigan State Spartans 22-5 (11-3) travel to Value City Arena to take on the 18 Ohio State Buckeyes 19-7 (9-5). Michigan State comes into this game after dropping their first home game of the season, a 72-68 decision at the hands of 1 Indiana on Tuesday night. They are the only team in the nation to play four straight conference games against ranked opponents. They are 4-3 against ranked opponents this season and have beaten the Buckeyes at the Breslin Center on January 19, 59-56. Keith Appling leads the Spartans with 13.8 points per game. He also averages 3.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for coach Tom Izzo. Ohio State enters this home contest after a 71-45 blowout at home against 18 Minnesota on Wednesday night. On Thursday, Aaron Craft was named to the Capital One All American Academic Team. He is a nutrition major with a GPA of 3.92. Deshaun Thomas, a National Player of the Year candidate, leads the team with 20.1 points per game for coach Thad Matta. I think this should be a really good game but look for the experience and the depth of Michigan State to take over and win this crucial Big Ten game.

3 Michigan at Wisconsin Game Preview

Today at 11am on ESPN, the 3 Michigan Wolverines 21-2 (8-2) visit the Kohl Center to take on the Wisconsin Badgers 16-7 (7-3). Michigan comes into this game after a big home win against archrival and 10 Ohio State on Tuesday night. The Wolverines escaped at home by a final of 76-74 in overtime and avenged the loss in Columbus earlier this season that gave Michigan their first loss. Trey Burke, who is on the watch list for the Bob Cousy Award which is the best point guard in the country, did a terrific job of guarding one of the country's best point guards in Aaron Craft. Burke is leading the team averaging 18.1 points per game. The Wolverines are exceptionally balanced as they have four of five starters averaging in double figures. Wisconsin enters this one after knocking off Iowa in double overtime on Wednesday night, 74-70. They are currently on a two game win streak this week after beating Illinois on the road and then Iowa on Wednesday night. Jared Berggren leads the Badgers with 11.8 points per game. He is also second in the Big Ten in blocks and had seven against Iowa to go along with 14 rebounds and 16 points. Wisconsin has three starters averaging in double digits and also have a deep bench. This should be a good one but look for the Grateful Red at the Kohl Center to get a signature win for the Badgers.
Michigan Game Notes
Wisconsin Game Notes

12 Minnesota at Wisconsin Game Preview

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Today at 1pm on the Big Ten Network, the 12 Minnesota Golden Gophers 15-4 (3-3) travel to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers 13-6 (4-2). Minnesota enters the Kohl Center with a three game losing streak in the conference after opening up to a 3-0 conference start. Their latest loss was a 55-48 defeat at Northwestern on Wednesday night. They are led by Andre Hollins, who is leading the team in points with 13.8 points per game. They have gone cold shooting so far in the last three conference games and hope to retain the shooting ability that Trevor Mbakwe and Andre Holllins possess. Wisconsin started last week with a win at then number 2 Indiana, but lost on the road at Iowa last Saturday and then dropped a 49-47 defeat at the hands of 13 Michigan State on Tuesday night. Jared Berggren leads the Badgers in points with a 12.5 per game clip. Ben Brust is the leader of the team and he has some big range from downtown and if the Gophers extend their defense, it could lead to a big game for Berggren. Look for this heated rivalry to get physical and close, but I think that the homecourt of the Badgers will get them back on track.

12 Illinois at Wisconsin Game Preview

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.

Wisconsin at Nebraska Game Preview

Today at 3:30pm on the Big Ten Network, the  Wisconsin Badgers 10-4 (1-0) visit the Bob Devaney Center to take on the  Nebraska Cornhuskers 9-5 (0-1). Wisconsin is riding a 4 game win streak entering this game, as they opened up Big Ten play with a 60-51 win at the Kohl Center against Penn State. Wisconsin has used numerous starting lineups this season, as they try to fill the void at the point guard position left by graduating senior Jordan Taylor and junior Josh Gasser, who tore his ACL earlier at practice this year and will miss the entire season. Traevon Jackson seems to have filled that spot for now, but George Marshall and Sam Dekker also are getting minutes at the point guard position. Jared Berggren is leading the team with 13.4 points per game. Nebraska opened their Big Ten slate with a 70-47 loss at home against Ohio State. They are a very talented but young team, with just 2 seniors on their squad and 1 senior starter. Their leading scorer, Dylan Talley, is averaging 13.6 points per game. The Huskers are very balanced, as they have 3 starters averaging in double figures. Look for this one to be close, but expect the talent and experience of the Badgers to take over and win this game.