Saturday, February 26, 2011

Northwestern Pre-Game Analysis

Opening Comments: The Badgers escaped a terrible shooting day in Ann Arbor with great/lucky shot from Josh Gasser. Just today, Gasser's 3 was overtaken on the ESPN Top 10 by a Kobe highlight after a two-day reign as the top play. Why I know this despite not watching Sportscenter often? One of my high school friends was celebrating it, as he is a Marquette fan and hated a Badger highlight being #1. Within minutes, Sam Dekker defended the Badgers' honor. Atta boy, Sam! The Badger have their final home game of the season against Northwestern, who are limping into the game at 16-11 (6-10 Big Ten) after having NCAA Tournament aspirations mere weeks ago.


What the Expert Nerds Say: Ken Pomeroy predicts a 72-58 Badger victory in 56 possessions, with an 8% chance of upset.

Jeff Sagarin predicts a 13-point victory.


Northwestern Rotation:
Position Height Name MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG Off Rating Poss % TO % FT% 2PT% 3PT% 3FGA Rate FT Rate Off Reb% Def Reb% Ast % Blk % Stl % Fouls/40
* G 5'10" Michael Thompson 38.3 15.7 1.9 4.3 1.5 0.0 111.9 22.5 15.3 81.6% 53.7% 36.9% 57.5% 2.54 0.9 6.0 25.2 0.0 2.5 2.42
* G 6'5" JerShon Cobb 28.6 8.8 3.4 1.6 0.8 0.1 103.0 18.0 8.5 75.0% 49.3% 27.6% 44.3% 2.14 2.8 13.7 11.7 0.2 1.8 2.71
* G 6'5" Drew Crawford 30.5 10.3 4.6 1.7 0.9 0.7 97.3 21.0 14.3 57.1% 39.7% 38.7% 49.0% 1.83 4.9 15.4 12.1 2.6 1.8 3.61
* F 6'8" John Shurna 32.1 12.7 3.9 2.3 1.0 0.9 104.1 23.1 13.7 71.4% 43.5% 36.9% 43.3% 4.20 3.4 13.0 15.6 3.3 1.9 2.32
* F/C 6'10" Luka Mirkovic 25.3 8.5 4.8 1.8 0.4 0.5 103.2 21.2 18.6 68.6% 50.0% 40.0% 13.8% 3.21 7.6 17.6 15.4 2.2 0.9 4.54
G 6'3" Alex Marcotullio 20.9 4.8 2.1 2.2 0.8 0.1 107.6 14.9 21.7 44.4% 52.9% 39.1% 73.0% 1.43 3.9 9.3 20.9 0.6 2.4 4.18
F 6'9" Davide Curletti 14.4 3.2 1.8 1.0 0.1 0.4 103.6 14.7 13.2 75.0% 38.7% 35.7% 31.1% 3.56 3.6 12.9 13.7 3.0 0.5 7.27
F 6'6" Mike Capocci 9.6 1.8 1.4 0.6 0.5 0.2 123.0 11.3 18.5 77.8% 56.3% 33.3% 15.8% 4.74 7.0 13.0 12.7 2.2 3.3 4.44


Wisconsin Rotation:
Position Height Name MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG Off Rating Poss % TO % FT% 2PT% 3PT% 3FGA Rate FT Rate Off Reb% Def Reb% Ast % Blk % Stl % Fouls/40
* G 6'1" Jordan Taylor 37.6 19.9 4.3 5.1 0.7 0.1 130.8 28.8 7.4 83.9% 48.8% 42.1% 37.4% 4.58 2.8 13.4 33.9 0.2 1.2 2.77
* G 6'3" Josh Gasser 28.1 4.9 4.1 2.5 0.4 0.1 129.0 11.7 15.7 76.9% 58.1% 37.5% 43.6% 2.36 5.4 14.9 18.0 0.2 1.0 3.22
* F/G 6'6" Tim Jarmusz 25.9 4.0 2.1 1.2 0.5 0.1 130.4 9.6 9.4 100.0% 40.0% 34.1% 89.1% 3.04 5.5 5.8 8.8 0.3 1.2 1.75
* F 6'10" Jon Leuer 35.3 18.5 7.6 1.6 0.4 0.5 110.8 30.6 11.4 92.6% 51.2% 31.1% 26.9% 2.38 6.3 24.0 12.3 1.5 0.8 2.42
* F 6'8" Keaton Nankivil 32.0 11.7 4.5 0.6 0.5 1.1 131.0 17.1 9.4 85.7% 45.8% 49.4% 62.6% 1.71 6.7 13.1 4.2 4.1 1.0 2.92
F 6'6" Mike Bruesewitz 15.8 3.2 1.9 0.7 0.3 0.1 109.1 14.9 16.0 85.7% 54.5% 26.1% 51.1% 1.56 9.1 7.2 8.6 0.9 1.4 3.88
G/F 6'6" Ryan Evans 10.3 2.4 1.4 0.2 0.3 0.2 91.7 17.4 18.4 83.3% 39.4% - 0.0% 3.64 4.3 14.7 4.0 2.2 1.8 4.39
G/F 6'4" Rob Wilson 8.1 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 50.1 15.1 15.7 100.0% 22.2% 0.0% 55.0% 2.00 1.5 9.6 6.2 0.0 0.7 4.94
F/C 6'10" Jared Berggren 6.9 1.0 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.6 77.6 15.3 11.1 50.0% 41.7% 0.0% 33.3% 2.22 6.6 13.6 4.7 9.7 0.0 7.71


Northwestern Big Ten Stats:

Efficiency Pace TO % Reb % FTA/FGA 3PT% 2PT% FT% Block% Stl%
Offense 105.0 (#7) 62.8 (#6) 16.0 (#3) 25.1 (#10) 28.4 (#10) 36.0 (#6) 47.9 (#11) 71.7 (#7) 12.8 (#10) 7.5 (#5)
Defense 113.7 (#11) 62.8 (#6) 18.9 (#3) 65.6 (#10) 40.4 (#10) 38.6 (#9) 55.9 (#11) 70.0 (#3) 8.5 (#6) 9.7 (#2)


Wisconsin Big Ten Stats:

Efficiency Pace TO % Reb % FTA/FGA 3PT% 2PT% FT% Block% Stl%
Offense 117.8 (#1) 56.2 (#11) 12.1 (#1) 30.4 (#8) 28.6 (#9) 36.9 (#5) 48.7 (#8) 85.8 (#1) 7.2 (#1) 5.9 (#1)
Defense 105.0 (#4) 56.2 (#11) 15.5 (#9) 72.5 (#1) 32.4 (#6) 34.6 (#3) 48.7 (#5) 77.0 (#11) 7.5 (#7) 5.5 (#11)


My Predictions:
1. The Badgers attempt more than 14 free throws. Northwestern fouls a lot.

2. The Badgers turn the ball over less than 10% of the possessions. Wisconsin overachieves against Northwestern decent turnover-producing ability.

3. Leuer scores more than 20. Luka Mirkovic may drain a 17 footer in the first 2 minutes of the game and act like the shot just won the national championship, but Jon easily dominates in the match-up.


My Expectations: The Badgers blowout Northwestern by a score of 73-52 in 57 possessions.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Penn State Pre-Game Analysis

Opening Comments: I'm making this quick and short. I honestly almost forgot to make this, as my attention has been squarely focused on something else going on in Madison.


What the Expert Nerds Say: Ken Pomeroy predicts a 64-53 Badger victory in 52 possessions, with a 10% chance of upset.

Jeff Sagarin predicts a 13-point Badger victory.


Penn State Rotation:
Position Height Name MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG Off Rating Poss % TO % FT% 2PT% 3PT% 3FGA Rate FT Rate Off Reb% Def Reb% Ast % Blk % Stl % Fouls/40
* G 6'0" Talor Battle 38.7 20.7 3.8 3.2 1.0 0.0 115.5 28.7 9.6 76.3% 53.8% 34.1% 57.5% 3.65 1.2 12.1 22.0 0.0 1.7 1.99
* G 6'1" Tim Frazier 30.7 5.4 3.7 5.4 0.9 0.1 97.6 18.2 26.9 74.3% 37.7% 23.1% 19.7% 5.30 2.5 14.0 35.7 0.5 2.0 3.63
* G 6'4" David Jackson 34.0 10.7 5.1 0.6 0.5 0.2 109.1 17.5 14.7 84.8% 43.9% 40.0% 51.3% 2.82 5.2 15.5 3.7 0.7 1.0 2.94
* F 6'8" Jeff Brooks 34.8 14.0 5.9 2.0 0.9 1.6 126.8 20.4 14.8 81.1% 65.6% 38.5% 21.8% 3.11 9.1 14.2 14.7 5.6 1.8 2.12
* F 6'10" Andrew Jones 36.7 6.5 5.5 0.7 0.2 0.1 104.5 14.5 21.3 50.0% 58.2% - 0.0% 3.88 9.9 15.4 5.2 0.2 0.4 4.12
F 6'8" Billy Oliver 14.8 2.1 1.6 0.4 0.1 0.3 81.6 14.2 20.9 61.5% 31.6% 20.0% 44.1% 3.82 7.9 6.6 5.7 2.3 0.6 7.15
G 6'5" Cammeron Woodyard 10.9 2.1 1.6 0.3 0.1 0.1 99.4 13.0 4.0 100.0% 58.3% 16.7% 60.0% 0.67 4.2 15.6 6.4 0.9 0.5 0.92


Wisconsin Rotation:
Position Height Name MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG Off Rating Poss % TO % FT% 2PT% 3PT% 3FGA Rate FT Rate Off Reb% Def Reb% Ast % Blk % Stl % Fouls/40
* G 6'1" Jordan Taylor 37.9 20.4 4.5 4.9 0.6 0.1 132.1 28.5 8.0 83.7% 50.5% 42.6% 39.3% 4.97 2.4 14.2 32.7 0.2 1.1 2.76
* G 6'3" Josh Gasser 27.1 4.4 4.2 2.5 0.4 0.0 128.6 11.4 12.2 66.7% 53.6% 36.8% 40.4% 1.91 5.7 16.0 18.1 0.0 1.0 3.3
* F/G 6'6" Tim Jarmusz 26.5 4.2 2.2 1.3 0.5 0.1 137.6 9.2 8.8 100.0% 33.3% 36.1% 92.3% 3.59 4.7 6.5 9.4 0.3 1.2 1.98
* F 6'10" Jon Leuer 35.0 18.7 7.1 1.4 0.5 0.5 110.0 30.9 12.0 91.5% 49.7% 34.6% 26.1% 2.36 6.2 21.9 10.9 1.7 0.9 2.37
* F 6'8" Keaton Nankivil 31.8 10.8 4.6 0.6 0.5 1.2 127.1 17.1 10.0 89.5% 44.7% 46.2% 63.1% 1.84 7.5 12.5 4.3 4.1 1.1 3.28
F 6'6" Mike Bruesewitz 16.8 3.5 1.9 0.7 0.4 0.2 109.2 15.2 12.7 85.7% 54.5% 22.7% 50.0% 1.59 9.2 6.4 8.4 1.0 1.6 3.1
G/F 6'6" Ryan Evans 9.5 2.5 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 97.7 17.8 19.3 87.5% 46.4% - 0.0% 2.86 3.3 14.8 5.3 1.8 1.1 5.2
G/F 6'4" Rob Wilson 8.5 0.8 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 50.2 15.8 15.7 100.0% 22.2% 0.0% 52.6% 2.11 1.5 9.9 6.5 0.0 0.8 4.71
F/C 6'10" Jared Berggren 7.2 1.1 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.6 77.4 16.1 11.1 50.0% 41.7% 0.0% 33.3% 2.22 6.8 14.2 5.0 10.0 0.0 8.1


Penn State Stats:

Efficiency Pace TO % Reb % FTA/FGA 3PT% 2PT% FT% Block% Stl%
Offense 108.0 (#4) 58.4 (#10) 16.2 (#4) 30.8 (#6) 35.0 (#5) 32.8 (#9) 52.2 (#1) 73.0 (#5) 10.3 (#9) 6.4 (#3)
Defense 108.1 (#6) 58.4 (#10) 16.0 (#8) 71.2 (#3) 28.9 (#4) 37.8 (#7) 49.0 (#7) 70.4 (#4) 7.0 (#9) 7.1 (#9)


Wisconsin Stats:

Efficiency Pace TO % Reb % FTA/FGA 3PT% 2PT% FT% Block% Stl%
Offense 117.7 (#1) 56.4 (#11) 12.3 (#1) 30.2 (#8) 29.4 (#7) 36.9 (#5) 48.5 (#8) 85.6 (#1) 8.1 (#3) 6.0 (#1)
Defense 104.5 (#4) 56.4 (#11) 14.9 (#11) 71.3 (#2) 34.5 (#7) 31.2 (#2) 48.4 (#5) 79.0 (#11) 7.5 (#8) 5.5 (#11)


My Expectations:
1. The Badgers hold Penn State to less than 49% shooting inside the arc. The Badgers shut down PSU's inside game.

2. Keaton shoots better than 49% from deep. He's had a few rough outings (comparatively to his average) lately and I think he comes back with a bang.

3. Talor Battle scores less than 15 points. I think Jordan et al. shut him down.


My Predictions: The Badgers avenge their loss, trouncing Penn State to the tune of 66-51 in 54 possessions.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Ohio State Box Score Observations

Opening Comments: Wisconsin won a most important 71-67 home game against Ohio State. This was a major resume builder for the seeding committee to consider, not to mention the staff of the Cousy Award.

Summarizing the game in a few words: Both teams played good offense, but Bo’s strategy of taking the three worked this game.

Pace: The game had 57 thrilling possessions. That was about on par for a UW game.

Efficiency: Was it offense or defense? UW clearly had superior offense today. OSU scored at 1.18 PPP. That should win most games, but not this one. Our opponents had been scoring at 1.03 in conference. So, this was a good day for OSU’s offense, or a bad day for UW’s defense. But, when you play the #1 team, you would expect them to score well, and they did.

UW scored an excellent 1.25 PPP. UW has the #1 rated offense in the nation, and proved it. We have been at 1.19PPP in both conference and non conference play.

Shooting: Both teams made 25 FGA’s. UW had the good fortune of making more from deep – 12 to OSU’s 3. Those 9 extra points could not be overcome from the free throw line.

eFG%: OSU posted a 58% eFG%. That is very good. UW out shot them with an even healthier 63%.

3 pt shooting: UW won the game at the arc. UW outshot OSU in both quantity and quality. OSU was 3 of 9 for 33%. UW was 12 of 24, 50%. I like it when both teams keep the math easy. That gave UW an extra 27 points from the arc.

2pt shooting: Inside, OSU did well, as one might expect. OSU was 22 of 37 for 59%. They scored 24 points in the paint, 20 from mid range. UW was 13 of 25 for 52%. Not bad. UW got 16 points in the paint. OSU outscored UW 44 to 26 inside the arc, or by 18 points. That gave UW a net +9 from the floor.

1pt shooting: OSU shot well at the line. They were 14 of 16 for 88%. UW missed 4. Ugh. UW was 9 of 13 for 69%. But, OSU could not profit from the line enough to defeat our superior shooting from deep.

The “We Make More Free Throws Than Our Opponents Attempt” Scoreboard

UW Makes: 309 Opponent Attempts: 372 Difference: -63

Trevor Mbakwe Challenge:

Having missed 4 FTA today, UW is not behind Trevor by 3 this year. I have faith in UW’s ability to catch him.

Floor Location:

Location UW Opp

Arc 51% 13%

Mid Range 14% 30%

Paint 23% 36%

FT Line 13% 21%

UW killed from deep.

Rebounding: Both teams defended the defensive glass effectively, but UW somewhat better.

UW Defensive end: When OSU shot, there were 22 rebounding opportunities and OSU got 4 for 18%. Excellent work by UW.

UW Offensive End: When UW shot, there were 26 caroms and UW got 6 for 22%. Not good for UW, but not unexpected. UW had two memorable offensive rebounds – One that lead to a Bruesewitz put back and Leuer’s rebound late.

Turnovers: OSU had 7 turnovers for an excellent 12% turnover rate. UW did well with 9 for a 16% rate. That would be good for most teams, but not UW who is typically around 13%.

Opportunity Index: The OI was a wash. UW had two extra offensive rebounds and OSU had two fewer turnovers. OSU had 3 extra second chance points (8 to 5) but UW had one extra point off turnovers – 11 to 10.

Fouls: OSU had the advantage – 14 for OSU, 17 for US. I guess the refs did not find the unmarked envelope behind the trash can with the bills. Someone must look into this oversight.

Playing time: Besides the starters, Evans had 11 minutes and Bruesewitz a life-saving 22.

OSU played their typical short bench. Matta went small and stayed small. Lauderdale only played 6 and Craft 34.

Notable Performances: What can you say about Jordan Taylor. Jordan scored 27 on 13 FGA’s. He had but one lonely turnover but 7 assists. He was 6-9 from the line and grabbed 4 boards. Jordan, long will the tales of your exploits be told around the campfires of my people.

Leuer scored 12 but need 14 FGA’s. He was able to avoid the turnover bug today. Jon, I salute you!

Gasser and Bruesewitz were fantastic. Gasser scored 11 on 5 shots, grabbed 7 boards, and had one turnover. Bruesewitz was also 4-5. He was 2-2 from deep, the last one being one for Badger lore. Josh and Mike, my people are thrilled to know we will be discussing your exploits for years to come. Great job!

For OSU, Sullinger got a 19-12 dub dub. That is a typical outstanding performance this beast. Buford scored 21 on 18 shots and one turnover. Craft was tough. Unfortunately for him, he will largely be remembered as the guy that could not stop Taylor. But, he is a fine looking player.

Grading Shetown’s Predictions

1. Keaton has a Purdue game-like performance, draining more than 3 threes. I think OSU's concern for Jordan and Jon combined with their bigs being uncomfortable on the perimeter makes for a great night for Keaton. Miss. Keaton was 1-6 from deep

2. The Badgers grab more than 77% of the defensive rebounding opportunities. No one that plays more than 15 minutes a game for the Buckeyes other than Sullinger grabs a lot of boards, especially on the offensive end. Hit. Got 78%.

3. Jared Sullinger scores less than 20 points or has an efficiency below 1.00 PPP if he has +20. The Badgers formally welcome the "diaper dandy" to the Kohl Center... where winning streaks go to die. Hit and miss. He scored 19, but only needed 12 possessions to do it (12 FGA’s, 4 FTA’s, -3 off rebounds, and one TO).

My Prediction: The Badgers ruin another Buckeye team's hope for a perfect season, willing their way to a 65-63 win in 55 possessions. Hit. 71-67 in 57.

Closing Thoughts: Whew! What a game. Great job by all.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Ohio State Pre-Game Analysis

Opening Comments: Well, the Badgers survived the trap game at Iowa that I was uncharacteristically wrong about. I predicted a blowout of sorts. But I’ll fall back on asserting that it would have been a blowout if Wisconsin actually made some of the wide open shots Iowa was giving up left and right in the first half. So now the Badgers will take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State, a team that I would love to hate, but I generally can’t find any reasons why. Wisconsin has had a fair amount of success against them, Thad Matta doesn’t seem to be a bad or annoying person, and former walk-on Mark Titus’ Club Trillion blog and general antics certainly helped. Nonetheless, the Buckeyes enter the game as the only remaining undefeated team in Division 1, sitting with a record of 24-0, 11-0 in the Big Ten. But like the Badgers on Wednesday night, Ohio State has had struggles with Big Ten foes. They had close calls with a 5-point vitctory at Iowa, 3-point victory at home against Minnesota, 4-point victory at Michigan, 1-point victory at Northwestern, 3-point victory at home against Penn State, and a 5-point victory at Illinois. Somehow in the middle of all those grind-it-out wins was a 23-point drubbing of Purdue. We’ll see what happens Saturday afternoon.


What the Expert Nerds Say: Ken Pomeroy predicts a 61-60 Badger loss, with a 49% chance of upset. In other words, his formulas suggest flipping a coin.

Jeff Sagarin predicts a 0.75-point Ohio State victory. Keep in mind that home court only gives an extra 3.91 points to the Badgers, or any other team, in his calculations. Again, flip a coin.


Ohio State Idol:
Aaron Craft, Jared Sullinger, and Jon Diebler
Steven: Dream On! Dream On! Dream Ooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn... about going to Los Angeles for the next round.
Jennifer: Hello, my name is Hennifer Lopez and I eat tacos and burritos.
Randy: Yo dog, you should dump this Craft kid. He's dragging you down. I love the enthusiasm from you though, Jared. JLo, why are you the hand of some fat kid?

Dallas Lauderdale
Steven: Were your parents in Texas 9 months before you were born? Cuz your name is Dallas. They probably named you after the city they bumped uglies in.
Jennifer: Taco, taco.
Randy: Yo, that was way better than the last group that was in here, but I can't tell if it's because you're decent or they were that bad. I'm not sure if you're marketable though. You look to be about 45, and the kids these days aren't going to buy a 45-year old's album.


Ohio State Rotation:
Position Height Name MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG Off Rating Poss % TO % FT% 2PT% 3PT% 3FGA Rate FT Rate Off Reb% Def Reb% Ast % Blk % Stl % Fouls/40
* G 6'5" William Buford 33.1 13.8 2.9 2.5 0.5 0.4 117.3 20.7 15.9 84.6% 40.0% 53.1% 43.0% 2.28 2.5 9.0 15.8 1.2 1.0 3.08
* G 6'6" Jon Diebler 38.4 10.0 2.5 2.5 1.1 0.1 136.1 11.2 12.0 78.6% 42.9% 47.5% 81.3% 1.87 1.5 6.8 12.1 0.2 1.8 1.14
* G/F 6'5" David Lighty 32.9 12.0 3.7 3.1 1.4 0.6 110.4 21.9 18.4 66.7% 50.0% 37.5% 34.0% 5.43 5.8 9.0 18.4 2.1 2.6 2.98
* F 6'8" Dallas Lauderdale 14.5 3.8 2.3 0.3 0.1 1.0 112.7 12.7 21.8 16.7% 80.0% - 0.0% 4.80 8.3 12.4 3.7 7.8 0.3 6.04
* F 6'9" Jared Sullinger 35.6 18.5 10.4 1.8 0.8 0.5 118.2 27.0 11.3 65.5% 55.8% 20.0% 3.7% 6.49 11.7 26.5 11.5 1.7 1.4 2.86
G 6'2" Aaron Craft 30.2 8.5 2.7 4.4 1.5 0.1 101.8 19.8 30.7 69.7% 51.5% 44.4% 42.9% 5.24 0.7 11.1 26.7 0.3 3.2 4.70
F 6'6" Deshaun Thomas 12.1 5.3 2.6 0.3 0.3 0.2 97.5 27.6 17.2 75.0% 48.8% 21.4% 25.5% 2.18 14.9 13.8 4.9 1.7 1.4 3.61


Wisconsin Rotation:
Position Height Name MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG Off Rating Poss % TO % FT% 2PT% 3PT% 3FGA Rate FT Rate Off Reb% Def Reb% Ast % Blk % Stl % Fouls/40
* G 6'1" Jordan Taylor 38.2 20.3 4.5 4.7 0.7 0.0 128.9 29.1 7.5 86.3% 47.8% 40.7% 39.1% 4.83 2.9 13.7 31.6 0.0 1.3 2.99
* G 6'3" Josh Gasser 25.6 3.9 3.6 2.6 0.4 0.0 133.3 11.1 11.3 62.5% 61.9% 28.6% 40.0% 2.29 5.8 13.9 20.8 0.0 1.0 3.3
* F/G 6'6" Tim Jarmusz 28.6 4.7 2.3 1.5 0.5 0.1 138.9 9.4 7.1 100.0% 33.3% 36.4% 91.7% 3.89 4.7 6.2 9.9 0.3 1.3 2.03
* F 6'10" Jon Leuer 35.4 18.9 7.5 1.6 0.5 0.5 109.3 31.6 13.2 93.0% 49.2% 35.6% 26.9% 2.57 6.3 23.1 12.9 1.7 0.9 2.16
* F 6'8" Keaton Nankivil 31.8 11.7 4.8 0.5 0.6 1.4 134.8 16.8 9.6 89.5% 50.0% 52.8% 62.4% 2.24 7.3 13.6 3.9 4.9 1.4 3.31
F 6'6" Mike Bruesewitz 16.7 2.8 1.7 0.7 0.5 0.2 105.2 13.9 8.8 80.0% 52.9% 17.6% 50.0% 1.47 8.8 5.3 8.9 1.2 1.9 2.83
G/F 6'4" Rob Wilson 8.8 0.9 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 49.4 16.2 11.1 100.0% 22.2% 0.0% 52.6% 1.05 0.0 8.8 7.1 0.0 0.9 5.06
F/C 6'10" Jared Berggren 7.6 1.3 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.7 88.4 16.7 6.2 50.0% 41.7% 0.0% 25.0% 2.50 8.3 16.7 6.0 10.6 0.0 7.06
G/F 6'6" Ryan Evans 7.6 1.8 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.2 90.7 16.9 25.0 100.0% 47.4% - 0.0% 1.05 3.2 13.3 5.3 2.7 0.8 6.19


Ohio State Big Ten Stats:
Ohio State Efficiency Pace TO % Reb % FTA/FGA 3PT% 2PT% FT% Block% Stl%
Offense 114.6 (#2) 63.0 17.6 (#6) 32.7 (#4) 42.0 (#2) 43.8 (#1) 51.6 (#3) 66.7 (#11) 6.2 (#5) 6.9 (#4)
Defense 99.3 (#1) 63.0 21.9 (#1) 69.5 (#7) 23.2 (#1) 32.7 (#3) 50.6 (#8) 77.0 (#7) 5.5 (#8) 9.1 (#3)


Wisconsin Big Ten Stats:
Wisconsin Efficiency Pace TO % Reb % FTA/FGA 3PT% 2PT% FT% Block% Stl%
Offense 117.2 (#1) 56.8 11.1 (#1) 28.5 (#9) 30.4 (#7) 37.3 (#5) 47.7 (#9) 86.9 (#1) 4.3 (#1) 5.7 (#1)
Defense 102.1 (#3) 56.8 15.8 (#8) 71.9 (#1) 34.5 (#7) 31.0 (#2) 47.4 (#4) 77.2 (#8) 6.0 (#7) 6.0 (#11)


Big Ten Aerial:

The Big Ten has had a very defensive-oriented past few days, as the equilibrium efficiency has dropped from 108.7 to 108.0. The axes have been moved accordingly. Even with the Badgers' rough day shooting, they still have a commanding lead in offensive efficiency and improved on defensive, lowering by 1 point. If things hold true, we may only see Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Purdue, and Minnesota in the big dance. Not the MSU missing it is a disappointment. Quite the contrary.


My Expectations:
1. Keaton has a Purdue game-like performance, draining more than 3 threes. I think OSU's concern for Jordan and Jon combined with their bigs being uncomfortable on the perimeter makes for a great night for Keaton.

2. The Badgers grab more than 77% of the defensive rebounding opportunities. No one that plays more than 15 minutes a game for the Buckeyes other than Sullinger grabs a lot of boards, especially on the offensive end.

3. Jared Sullinger scores less than 20 points or has an efficiency below 1.00 PPP if he has +20. The Badgers formally welcome the "diaper dandy" to the Kohl Center... where winning streaks go to die.

My Prediction: The Badgers ruin another Buckeye team's hope for a perfect season, willing their way to a 65-63 win in 55 possessions.