UW offense vs. UW-Green Bay defense
With the trio of Alando Tucker, Kammron Taylor and Brian Butch lighting up the scoreboard, it will be tough for the Phoenix to stop the Badgers' offense. As a team, Wisconsin is averaging 85 points per game and looks poised to attack a UW-Green Bay defense that surrendered 87 and 80 points in early season losses to Washington and Miami (FL). While Taylor and Butch have built the foundation for what could be break-out seasons, Tucker stands sixth in the Big Ten in scoring with 19.3 points per game. Besides the 'big three,' the Badgers have also seen significant contributions from junior Jason Chappell and freshman Marcus Landry.
Advantage: Badgers
UW-Green Bay offense vs. UW defense
The bad news for the Badgers is that they have given up an alarming 70.2 points per game so far this season. The good news is they are playing a Phoenix squad that boasts only two double-digit scorers. Junior guard Ryan Evanochko leads UW-Green Bay with 11.5 points per contest, while freshman forward Ryan Tillema averages 10.7. As a team, the Phoenix have remained grounded, tallying less than 60 points per game. Tonight's match-up could be a building block for a Wisconsin defense that has given up over 80 points in three of its first six contests this season. Advantage:?Badgers
Coaching
Bo knows basketball, and Coach Bo Ryan knows how to win games at the Kohl Center. Since becoming the Badgers' head coach in 2001, Ryan has totalled an astounding home record of 60-3. He stands just two wins shy of 100 wins at the University of Wisconsin. Pacing the sideline opposite coach Ryan will be UW-Green Bay head coach Ted Kowalczyk. A one-time Marquette assistant coach, Kowalczyk begins his fourth season in Green Bay, featuring one of the nation's top freshman recruiting classes. Nevertheless, coach Ryan's swing offense is clicking on all cylinders, and he should earn victory 99 as a Badger at the hands of Kowalczyk's Phoenix.
Advantage: Badgers
Intangibles
Three out of Wisconsin's next four games come against in-state rivals. To prove that they are truly the best team in Dairyland, the Badgers need to start with a solid victory over struggling UW-Green Bay which enters tonight's game with a record of 2-4. The Phoenix do not have a single senior on their roster, and many of their young freshmen have never played in front of a hostile crowd like the one they will encounter at the Kohl Center. In the all-time series, the Badgers are a perfect 11-0 against the Phoenix. Tonight, they should make it an even dozen.
Advantage: Badgers
