Big Test For UW Against Illini » Brats & Beer

January 31, 2006
posted under: Badgers basketball

I don’t want to say it’s make or break time tonight for the Badgers, but it’s almost make or break time for the Badgers tonight when they face off against Illinois. Wisconsin is tied in a log jam at the top of the Big 10 standings with Michigan, Iowa, and the Illini and come into the game having won just one of their last four. A victory tonight could spark a nice rally for the Badgers, who will be facing Purdue, Indiana, Penn State , and Ohio over the next couple weeks. It would also restore some respectability and confidence to a program that has suffered a few hits in recent weeks, losing to the All Boys Academy of North Dakota and a then-unranked Michigan team. What’s key for the Badgers is finding a way to fill the defensive void left by Greg Stiemsma, who was declared ineligible due to academics a few weeks ago. During a winning streak earlier this month, Wisconsin was able to hold their opponents to under 65 points, but recently Ohio State bullied the Badgers for 77 points and Michigan torched the team for 85. Illinois is a young team with only two really good shooters, Dee Brown and James Augustine, so if UW can find a way to quite those guns they should be in good shape.