Jumping out to a 4-1 start in Big Ten play was important for the Wisconsin Badgers, but it might actually be their schedule that gives them the early inside track to the conference title. Ironically, the Badgers, who have the fifth toughest schedule in the nation, accordnig to the RPI ratings, probably have the easiest path to the top of the Big Ten because they don't have to travel to Illinois or Indiana, while playing their home games at the Kohl Center where head coach Bo Ryan has lost only one conference game in his Badger career.
Winning at home and going .500 on the road in Big Ten games usually guarantees contention for the conference title, but Wisconsin's schedule could allow them to do even better. If Bo Ryan's squad, which has lost two of its three away games this season, falters in their tough road tests at Indiana, Iowa and Michigan, three or four losses in the Big Ten should put them at the top, as long as the rest of the conference continues to beat up on each other.
Keep in mind that Michigan State, Ohio State and Illinois all have two early losses and the Badgers have already beaten Iowa and Michgan State once at home.
The two home games against Illinois (Jan. 31) and Indiana (Feb. 8) could become the key games for another Big Ten title under Ryan. Badger fans are certainly circling those games already, putting the Badger home court winning streak on the line against the Illini again.
Even after losing sophomore forward D.J White for another six weeks to a foot injury, Indiana (11-3, 3-1) has continued to keep pace in the Big Ten, most recently with their 62-60 victory over Illinois Tuesday night. In White's absence, junior guard Roderick Wilmont stepped up with 17 points in the win over the Illini, despite playing on a slightly sprained ankle that was susutained in the second half.
Meanwhile, senior forward Marco Killingsworth who almost did not play because of a back injury, added 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Hoosiers. Indiana has now won 11 straight Big Ten home games.
The Peoria Journal Star is reporting that Wisconsin freshman guard DeAaron Williams will transfer to Illinois Central College with hopes of eventually playing for Bradley University.
The UW athletic department issued a statement Jan. 5 that said Williams had temporarily left the team. The guard's former high school coach at Limestone in Peoria, Ill. then told the Journal Star that Williams intended on leaving Wisconsin.
'I have talked to him, and DeAaron is coming home,' Dave Mott, Williams' coach at Limestone, said Jan. 6. 'He is going to continue his education at Illinois Central College.'
Early indications are that the decision is based on a combination of academic issues and lack of playing time.
An NCAA rule would require Williams to attend ICC for at least one full academic year and graduate from the junior college with 24 credits before being allowed to transfer to Bradley.
Wisconsin has not granted Williams his official release and neither head coach Bo Ryan or the university has yet to shed light on the situation.
