Coming into this season, the Penn State men's basketball squad brimmed with expectations, and some analysts even picked them to compete near the top of the Big Ten. The No. 4 UW men's basketball team's visit to University Park was supposed to be one of the tougher dates on the Badgers' schedule.
But halfway through the conference schedule, the Nittany Lions (1-7 Big Ten, 10-11 overall) have lacked any bite, dropping seven straight Big Ten battles after defeating Northwestern Jan. 3. Wisconsin (8-1, 22-2) now has to force itself to remember the North Dakota State debacle from last season and not play down to the No. 197 RPI-rated Penn State team when they meet Wednesday.
The Badgers are coming off a dominant, yet not entirely satisfying win over Northwestern Saturday. Despite being up by 24 at one point, Wisconsin let the Wildcats back into the game late and needed to re-insert their starters to quell the rally.
UW has the momentum heading into Penn State and has to feel slighted after falling below Ohio State in the national rankings, but they cannot underestimate the offensive-minded Nittany Lions.
Penn State's last game was also Saturday, as they dropped a tough game to Purdue 69-59. Carl Landry's dominant 26-point, nine-rebound effort was too much for the Nittany Lions to handle, and they will have to keep UW star Alando Tucker in check if they want any chance to pull off the biggest upset of the season.
Penn State has the potential to put up points in a hurry, as they have scored 129 points in a game this season, albeit against a very poor Virginia Military Institute team. Wisconsin's lock-down defender, junior guard Michael Flowers, needs to stay on PSU sharpshooter Danny Morrissey who averages 11 points a game and shoots nearly 44 percent from behind the 3-point line.
""They've got some 3-point shooters that have been streaky,"" UW head coach Bo Ryan said. ""They've got two athletic guys that can attack the rim and score around the basket.""
On the inside, senior forward Jason Chappell and sophomore forwards Marcus Landry and Greg Stiemsma must stay home and help on defense. Penn State forwards Geary Claxton and Jamelle Cornley are slashers that combine for around 30 points a game, and cannot be allowed to drive all day on the Badgers.
The key for Wisconsin will be converting Nittany Lion turnovers, as PSU does not take care of the ball well, turning it over more than 14 times per game. If the Badgers can jump out to an early lead and take the crowd out of the game, a rout will likely result as well as a chance to close out a game well.
Wednesday's tip-off at the Bryce Jordan Center is set for 7:05 p.m.
