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Four numbers to know ahead of Iowa-Wisconsin WBB

On3 imageby:Kyle Huesmann•about 17 hours•

HuesmannKyle

Wisconsin head coach Marisa Moseley coaches in a game against Ohio State. (Photo by Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Wisconsin head coach Marisa Moseley coaches in a game against Ohio State. (Photo by Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

After back-to-back nail-biting losses against AP top ten opponents, the Hawkeyes traveled to Ann Arbor and delivered an emphatic win over Michigan on Wednesday night. Now, they turn their focus towards Senior Day, and their season finale against Wisconsin. It will be the 80th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Iowa leading the series 59-20. Head coach Marisa Moseley and her Wisconsin squad enter the matchup with a 13-15 overall record, including a 4-13 mark in Big Ten play. Last time out, on Wednesday, the Badgers fell to #2 UCLA 91-61 in Madison.

HawkeyeReport takes a look at some important numbers to know going into Sunday’s Senior Day matchup between the Hawkeyes and Badgers.

29 – Consecutive wins for the Hawkeyes over Wisconsin

The Hawkeyes have not lost to the Badgers since 2007. A win on Sunday would extend the streak to 30 consecutive games without a loss to Wisconsin. Over the last six meetings, Iowa has a 29.5-point average margin of victory, including four wins by 30+ points. The last time this border rivalry produced a close game was in 2020, when the Hawkeyes pulled out an 85-78 win in Iowa City with no fans in attendance.

In ten games against Quad 1 opponents this season, Wisconsin is 0-10, with a 21.5-point average margin of defeat. Torvik (-21) and Warren Nolan (-22) each have Iowa has a heavy favorite to make it 30 wins in a row against the Badgers.

1.028 – Wisconsin defensive points per possession

It’s been a very tough season for the Badgers defense, allowing 1.028 points per possession, which ranks 346th (out of 362 teams) in the country. Wisconsin is allowing Big Ten opponents to average 77.4 points per game, including allowing 80+ points eight of 17 games.

The statistics worsen even further when facing teams ranked in the top 35 in offensive efficiency. In 11 games, Wisconsin is allowing 80.0 points per game and a whopping 1.143 points per possession. In such games, opponents are shooting 48.9% (343/702) from the floor and 37.5% (85/227) from three-point range, including shooting over 45.0% in nine games.

29.7 and 17.2 – Points and rebounds per game for the Serah Williams-Carter McCray duo

The Badgers are carried by their frontcourt play. The Serah Williams–Carter McCray duo averages 29.7 points and 17.2 rebounds per game, which makes them the second-best frontcourt scoring duo in the Big Ten behind Grace VanSlooten-Julia Ayrault at Michigan State (30.4).

6’4 junior center Serah Williams is one of the most heavily used players in the Big Ten, averaging 15.14 shot attempts per game. Williams has scored 20+ points in 14 games and has recorded 14 double-doubles. As for the Northern Kentucky transfer, 6’1 forward Carter McCray has scored in double figures in 16 games and has recorded four-double doubles. They have combined for 35+ points in six games this season.

17.6% – Wisconsin forced turnover rate

Part of the Badgers defensive struggles can be attributed to the fact that they have been unable to force turnovers at a consistent rate. They rank 357th in the country in forced turnover rate (17.6%) and 350th in turnovers forced per game (12.07). Guard Ronnie Porter has totaled 44 steals this season, but Wisconsin, as a team, does not turn opponents over.

Wisconsin has forced 15+ turnovers in just six games, but the Hawkeyes, who rank 190th in turnovers per game, haven’t seen much difference when facing teams that struggle to force mistakes. In seven games against teams ranked lower than 300th in forced turnover rate, Iowa is averaging 15.3 turnovers per game, which is only marginally lower than their regular season average (16.1)

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