Michigan travels to Wisconsin seeking Quad 1 road sweep

Michigan comes in 14-10 overall, 8-6 in conference play. The Wolverines are coming off of their 3rd Quad 1 win, and 2nd Quad 1 road win. Michigan went into Iowa City and played a thorough, complete game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Moussa Diabate had a career night, going for an efficient 28 points and eight rebounds. Moussa’s ability to neutralize Keegan Murray‘s output was essential for Michigan’s success. The Michigan bench has been a sore subject in recent weeks, but Kobe Bufkin had his best game for Michigan. The freshman came into the game and right away got a strong rebound and a put-back lay in. Bufkin had one error at the end of the 1st half, but throughout the game he showed poise and confidence. Michigan’s road win bumped them up to #31 on the NET rankings.

Wisconsin comes in 20-5 overall, 11-4 in conference play. The Badgers are 11-3 at home this year and have won three of their last four games. Wisconsin is currently a half game back from 1st place and are hungry for a win against Michigan. Wisconsin remembers the embarrassing beat down they took in Ann Arbor, and the close heartbreaking loss in Madison last season. In the preseason, they were predicted to finish around 9th or 10th in the Big Ten conference. They have been playing with a chip on their shoulder all season, and after the games against Michigan last year, Wisconsin will be more than ready for the Wolverines.

Michigan vs Wisconsin Statistical Overview

P&R Ballhandler Scoring: Wisconsin ranks 24th in the country when the ballhandler attacks off of pick and roll actions, scoring on 0.911 points per possession (PPP). Michigan ranks 328th nationally in defending these situations.

Short Shot Clock: In situations when the shot clock is four seconds or lower, Wisconsin scores 0.933 PPP which ranks 6th in country. Michigan ranks 133rd nationally in defending these situations.

Pace: Wisconsin plays 68.9 possessions per game, which is on the slower side. Their pace ranks 256th nationally. Michigan ranks 279th nationally in possessions per game (68.2).

Team Defensive Efficiency: Wisconsin allows 0.964 PPP per game which ranks 99th in the country. Michigan ranks 48th nationally in offensive efficiency, scoring 1.065 PPP.

Team Offensive Efficiency: Wisconsin scores 1.030 PPP per game which ranks 104th in the country. Michigan ranks 198th nationally in defensive efficiency, allowing 1.001 PPP per game.

Wisconsin Main Personnel

#1 Johnny Davis: Davis is a 6’5″ 194 pound guard out of Wisconsin. He averages 20.7 points and 8.3 rebounds on 44.1% shooting from the floor, and 33.3% from the 3pt line. His 20.7 points per game ranks 12th in the country, and 3rd in the Big Ten. Davis is one of the most improved players in the country, and he has been on an upward trajectory since the FIBA U19 event over the summer. Davis is looking like a lottery pick lock this June, and it’s well deserved. Even though he has averaged 20.7 points on the season, he has been a bit tame at home. In the last two home games, Davis has put up 7.5 points on 30.4% shooting from the field, and has gone a combined 0-5 from the 3pt line. In those games he has gone a combined one for four from the FT line while in the last three road games, he has gone 28 for 36 from the line. Davis has been very aggressive on the road but passive at home. He probably sees this as a trend too and wants to come out very aggressive early against Michigan while still picking his spots and staying somewhat efficient.

Secondary Personnel

#34 Brad Davison: Davison is a 6’4″ 200 pound guard out of Minnesota. He is averaging 14.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 38.6% from the floor, and 35% from 3pt range. Davison is averaging the most minutes, shot attempts, FT attempts, and points he ever has in his career. For once, Wisconsin does not have a scoring big man to feed on the block, so Davison has to generate more scoring opportunities from the perimeter. In the last two home games, like Davis, Davison has struggled. He has averaged nine points while shooting 26.1% from the floor and 13.3% from the 3pt line. Michigan can not afford to allow Davison or Davis to get hot in this game. To have a chance at a road sweep, the defense has to keep Davis and Davison out of the paint and must closeout and contest all jump shots.

#5 Tyler Wahl: Wahl is a 6’9″ 220 pound forward out of Minnesota. He is averaging 11.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 51.7% from the field, and 13.3% from the 3pt line. In the last two home games, he has done what he needed to keep Wisconsin afloat by averaging 17.5 points while shooting 65.2% from the field. Wahl is an X-factor, similar to Moussa Diabate for Michigan. Even though he is the 3rd leading scorer, he does a little bit of everything. Wahl provides strong rebounding, good defense, and brings some interior scoring. Michigan will rely on Moussa’s defense to cause some chaos for Wahl, he just needs to stay out of foul trouble.