With only one game scheduled in a period of 10 days, UW's loss to Ohio State was its only game in the last week. The Badgers are on a two-game losing streak yet are still ranked No. 4 in the nation. Here is The Daily Cardinal's weekly report:
Player of the Week:
Jason Bohannon
It would be hard to argue that any Badger player played as well as freshman guard Jason Bohannon Sunday. In only 17 minutes of play, Bohannon had 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. He hit all three of his 3-point attempts, single-handedly keeping Wisconsin in the game.
Wisconsin's offense had been stagnant until Bohannon entered the game. The freshman gave UW a little momentum going into halftime as he took a pass from classmate Trevon Hughes and converted a layup on a fast break as time expired in the first half. All three of his 3-pointers came in the second half on important possessions.
With the loss of junior center Brian Butch, head coach Bo Ryan could turn to Bohannon for more offense when the Badgers go with a small lineup.
X-Factor of the Week:
Greg Stiemsma
If any of the starters had even an average game offensively Sunday, Bohannon probably would have been the X-factor, but he was the best on the floor, leaving only senior forward Jason Chappell and junior center Greg Stiemsma to be considered for the X-factor of the Week.
While the two combined to hold OSU freshman center Greg Oden to only 11 points and five rebounds, the nod goes to Stiemsma, whose two blocks were complimented with two assists and four points. Chappell was just as good defensively, but had one less block and turned the ball over twice while failing to score. The efforts of both Chappell and Stiemsma cannot be found on any score sheet, but the junior made his presence known in only 13 minutes of play.
On deck: Michigan State
Wisconsin (12-3 Big Ten, 26-4 overall) plays Michigan State for the second time in three games in what is arguably the toughest home game since Ohio State visited the Kohl Center Jan. 9. The Spartans (8-6, 21-8) have a lot to play for, while the Badgers will be trying to give seniors Alando Tucker, Kammron Taylor and Jason Chappell a win on Senior Day.
The game could mean the difference between the NIT and NCAA Tournaments for MSU and it could mean the difference between a legitimate postseason run and a late-season flop for UW.
Game of the Week:
Illinois at Iowa
The Illini (9-6, 21-9) have crawled into third place in the Big Ten but have a tough Iowa team standing in their way of the NCAA Tournament Saturday. Some will say Illinois is in win or lose, but a victory at a very tough Carver-Hawkeye Arena would solidify its postseason destiny.
Iowa (8-6, 16-12), meanwhile, has faded a little bit, but a win over Illinois could spark a run for a team that always fares well in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes' NCAA hopes are not gone yet.
This one goes up opposite of the Michigan State-Wisconsin game at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN Plus. The Badger game is on ESPN.
