Wisconsin (5-6 Big Ten, 14-9 overall) will try to avenge its overtime loss against the Iowa Hawkeyes earlier this year when they take the Kohl Center floor tonight.
After snapping its six-game losing streak, the Badgers have won two consecutive games over Illinois and Penn State. Wisconsin's defense has been particularly strong in these two wins, holding both opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field.
Assistant coach Howard Moore believes the team's leadership has played a major role in stepping up defensively.
I think the older guys have really done
a good job of bringing the younger guys along, stepping up and showing them how to do things,"" Moore said. ""How we defend and how to make sure we're getting good stops and getting strings of stops together, so that a team doesn't get on a run against us or that we don't lose grip of a game. Just to keep going in a direction that we can
take a lead and build on a lead.""
Iowa currently holds a 3-8 record in the
Big Ten, second worst in the conference. The Hawkeyes have also lost seven of their last nine games. But sophomore forward Jon Leuer says the team has the proper perspective on the conference as a whole and realizes the chance for a team to play their best on any given night.
""Obviously they're a talented team - you look up and down the Big Ten schedule, there's not an easy game so you know not to take them lightly, especially after what happened at their place,"" Leuer said. ""So we're just going to go out and approach it as a whole new game, a new challenge for us, we're just looking forward to the opportunity.""
The Hawkeyes' top two scorers are freshman guard Matt Gatens and sophomore guard Jeff Peterson, who average 11.4 and 10.6 points per game, respectively. Peterson is also Iowa's best passer, adding 4.3 assists per contest. Moore has a lot of respect for both of these players and believes that stopping them will be important to Wisconsin's defensive success.
""We've got to make sure we contain Peterson and not allow him to get crazy on us,"" Moore said. ""And Gadens ... Gadens is a younger [Joe] Krabbenhoft - he's tough, he's hard-nosed, he's all over the place. We've got to make sure those guys don't become factors on our court.""
In Wisconsin's previous loss in Iowa, the Badgers were overmatched by junior center David Palmer, who finished the game with 21 points and seven rebounds. The Badgers had trouble containing Palmer and several others in the paint, committing 25 fouls, which resulted in 26 Hawkeye points from the free-throw line.
""When you're out of position is usually when you pick up the foul,"" Leuer said. ""Whether you're helping out a teammate or out of the rotation, that comes with not using your hands as much. We can improve on those things and I think we will.""
Leuer will look to build on his recent strong play, having reached double figures in scoring during Wisconsin's last three contests. Leuer hopes he will be able to maintain this consistent level of play.
""I just try to go out and contribute as much as I can whether it's offensively or defensively, getting on the offensive glass, whatever I'm needed for this team to succeed is what I'm trying to do,"" Leuer said. ""Mainly, I just feel like I'm bringing more energy lately. I think the team needs that and that's what I'm going to try to keep doing.""
Tip-off for Wednesday's night matchup is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
