It was almost three weeks ago that the Wisconsin men's basketball team lost its sixth straight game, a 66-63 defeat at Northwestern. Confidence in the Bo Ryan era was at an all-time low, and the Badgers' chances of making the NCAA tournament looked slim at best. Needless to say, times have changed.
On Thursday night the Badgers (7-6 Big Ten, 16-9 overall) will try to extend their current four-game winning streak in a road matchup with the Indiana Hoosiers.
Indiana is having a difficult time in a transitional season. The team lacks experience, as nine out of its 15 players are freshmen. The Hoosiers' 1-11 Big Ten record is by far the weakest in the conference. But Indiana has still played exceptionally hard under first-year head coach Tom Crean, whom the Badgers are quite familiar with from his tenure with local rival Marquette. UW assistant coach Gary Close says that the Badgers should expect a big challenge despite Indiana's subpar record.
This is a really good team in terms of playing on their court and the talent they've got,"" Close said. ""Their record doesn't show it, but that's the way this league is this year. I don't think it's anything secret, we're playing a good team on their court and they're coming after us, playing hard. We can be in for a lot of trouble even if we are ready. They're very dangerous.""
Indiana junior guard Devan Dumes leads the team in scoring with 13.8 points per contest. Freshman forward Tom Pritchard averages 10.6 points per game and is the team's leading rebounder with 6.7 boards per game.
The Badgers have played excellent defense during the win streak and will likely need another strong defensive effort to be successful against Indiana. In Wisconsin's last game against Ohio State, the Badgers forced 19 turnovers, resulting in 18 points. Close says Wisconsin's defense has been crucial and cannot let up against the Hoosiers.
""I think we've been more consistent down there - we've had fewer breakdowns,"" Close said. ""We've made progress in that area and we'll be tested. They've got some guys that can shoot the three, they've got some guys that can drive it, and their post guys can be effective. So our defense will be tested at a really tough place to play.""
One player who has helped anchor Wisconsin's defense of late is senior forward Joe Krabbenhoft. On Monday, Krabbenhoft was named Big Ten co-Player of the Week after his strong performances against both Iowa and Ohio State. He averaged 12.5 points and seven rebounds per outing and also added eight total steals. Wisconsin senior forward Marcus Landry said Krabbenhoft's recent play has helped lift the rest of the team.
""We go back to the last game, guys were playing good defense, and we've got guys like Joe Krabbenhoft who are going to be right there to gobble the ball up,"" Landry said. ""The guy is playing good defense - if there's a loose ball, Joe's going to have it. That's a part of our success and our defense.""
After an extended rest following Saturday's win over Ohio State, the Badgers will be tested with a busy weekend that includes Thursday's road game at Indiana and a quick turnaround before another road battle at Michigan State. Sophomore swingman Tim Jarmusz is confident the Badgers will be able to overcome the fatigue that goes along with extended travel.
""That's what we've been going through all year, and I think you get used to it,"" Jarmusz said. ""We've just got to go in there and take care of business.""
Thursday night's game will begin at 8 p.m. from Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
