The Wisconsin women's basketball team (10-2) will host Harvard (1-7) Friday at the Kohl Center with hopes of finishing off their non-conference schedule undefeated at home. The Badgers look to rebound from Wednesday night's loss to in-state rival UW-Green Bay 70-66.
Junior guard Jolene Anderson, a recent Naismith Player of the Year candidate, and junior guard Janese Banks have been posting fantastic numbers for the Badgers, whose teammates also have been showing a lot of strength regardless of their inexperience playing at the college level. There are no seniors on the confident Wisconsin squad, who have found success early despite forcing several young players to step forward and fill prominent roles on the team.
However, the Crimson should not be overlooked based on their disappointing record. Two sophomores are currently leading Harvard in scoring as sophomores Niki Finelli and Emily Tay are posting 14.8 and 12.5 points per game. Tay has 44 assists on the season and has also shown defensive strength by collecting a team-high 21 steals. Also scoring in double-figures is junior Lindsay Hallion, averaging a solid 10.9 points per game.
While many college students will be spending winter break at home, the Badgers will be opening up their Big Ten Conference schedule by hosting Northwestern (6-3) at home Dec. 28. The Wildcats have found some success, led by senior A.J. Glasauer from Germany, even though the rest of the team is very young and inexperienced.
After this game, Wisconsin will hit the road for three intense games to battle No. 17 Michigan State (7-1) Dec. 31, Minnesota (8-3) Jan. 7 and Michigan (6-5) Jan. 11. Michigan State has showed strength from their veterans and rookies, as they have only been defeated once at home by a mere four points to Hofstra. Minnesota is led by its lone senior Kelly Roysland, who is averaging 14.7 points per game. Janelle Cooper of Michigan appears to be the only major threat for the Badgers, as she has been scoring a team-high 10.3 points per game.
Wisconsin will be pleased to return home Jan. 14 to challenge Illinois (8-2), having spent two weeks away from the Kohl Center. The Fighting Illini collected both of their losses on the road, which could serve as motivation to the Badgers. Illinois is led by the sophomore duet of Lori Bjork and Chelsea Gordon, averaging 14.4 and 11 points per game, respectably.
With the schedule intensifying over the upcoming weeks, Wisconsin must not fold under the pressure that Big Ten Conference games present.
