Wednesday night, Badger fans will be packed into the Kohl Center to watch their team on the Jumbotron. The Badgers hope some of this home-court advantage will rub off on Wisconsin basketball (9-2 Big Ten, 19-4 overall) as they travel to Bloomington to take on the Indiana Hoosiers (9-1, 20-3).
Nearly two weeks ago, the Badgers defeated the Hoosiers 62-49 to hand Indiana its first Big Ten loss of the season. But things have changed drastically since then. The Hoosiers have won their last three, while the Badgers picked up two road victories before a shocking loss at home to Purdue last Saturday. Purdue was only the second Big Ten team to defeat the Badgers at the Kohl Center since Bo Ryan became Wisconsin's head coach in 2001.
Wisconsin currently sits in third place in the conference with a 9-2 record but can overtake second-place Indiana with a win on Wednesday night at Assembly Hall. However, that is no easy feat to accomplish since Indiana has only lost once at home this season and Wisconsin has a mediocre 22-52 record in Bloomington all-time.
At Monday's press conference, head coach Bo Ryan discussed what factor revenge will play in Wisconsin's game versus Indiana.
Well, they know us better too, I think they feel, okay, they got us here, but wait until we get them at their place,"" Ryan said. ""I think that people feel that way sometimes, but you still have to play the game. If we competed out of revenge, I can't say it would be the game that I know and love.""
In the last matchup between the teams at the Kohl Center, Indiana's two superstars - senior forward D.J. White and freshman guard Eric Gordon - put together standout performances despite the loss. White was dominant in the low post with 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Gordon finished with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists despite a nagging wrist injury.
However, the Badgers held the rest of the Hoosier team to just 11 points. Wisconsin will need to bring another superior defensive effort to beat Indiana in the hostile road environment of Assembly Hall.
On the offensive side, sophomore guard Trevon Hughes, the Badgers' leading scorer, has struggled lately, with just four points in each of the last two contests, where he shot a combined 2-for-15 from the field. But Coach Ryan says he is not at all worried by Hughes' lack of scoring.
""You don't blame a guy,"" Ryan said. ""Sometimes some guys are going to contribute more than others. He'll be okay.""
One Badger who stepped up his game offensively against Purdue was sophomore guard Jason Bohannon, who finished with 14 points in 32 minutes for one of his most impressive performances of the season. Coach Ryan has been impressed with Bohannon's increasing confidence.
""[Bohannon is] getting stronger with the ball,"" Ryan said. ""I think that's what happens as you mature, and his confidence grows with it. Knowledge comes in pieces, and he's definitely a great example of that. He continues to show, and with that confidence, you look stronger when you play.""
The gates will open at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kohl Center with free admission. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and will also be aired on the Big Ten Network.
