Keys to the Game: #13 Wisconsin at Rutgers (February 26, 2022)

 

(photo courtesy of NJ Media Advance)

#13 Wisconsin (22-5; 13-4) at Rutgers (16-11; 10-7)

After dropping a second loss on the road at Michigan this week, Rutgers travels back home to Piscataway to take on the #13 Wisconsin Badgers this Saturday, February 26th (6 PM ET, BTN). This is an extremely important game for Rutgers to help keep their NCAA Tournament chances alive. If Rutgers pulls off a second upset of Wisconsin, they will have swept the Badgers for the year and earned themselves a Quadrant 1 victory. Meanwhile, this is a critical match-up for Wisconsin because a win at The RAC will keep the Badgers' Big Ten regular season title hopes alive. Wisconsin is going to try and become the first ranked team this season to come to The RAC and attempt to beat Rutgers. Rutgers has knocked off all of its ranked Big Ten opponents at The RAC this year. Rutgers throttled previously ranked #13 Michigan State by 21 points; narrowly escaped #22 Ohio State 66-64; crushed #15 Illinois 70-59; slowed down #25 Iowa 48-46; and upset previously ranked #1 Purdue on a last second Ron Harper Jr. heave 70-68.

The atmosphere this Saturday is going to be absolutely tremendous. NJ Media Advance's Brian Fonseca reported that as of Thursday the cheapest ticket available was $84. ScarletKnights.com reported the game is now sold out. After the Scarlet Knights knocked off Illinois just over a week ago, Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood praised The RAC for being one of the Big Ten's best and toughest atmospheres to play in for college basketball. Nothing can prepare Greg Gard's Badgers for what awaits at The RAC.

The first time these two teams met earlier this season, Rutgers pulled off a major upset 73-65 on the road at the Kohl Center. It was very close gritty back-and-forth affair between both teams. Rutgers fans can expect the same type of game again this time around. 

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Deny Johnny Davis - Rutgers held Johnny Davis to only 11 points the first time these two teams met. Caleb McConnell did an incredible job denying Davis. Davis finished well below his scoring average of 20.6 ppg. Davis is an intricate part of the Wisconsin offense and if Rutgers wants to win on Saturday, they must limit and deny any good looks for Davis. Look for Caleb McConnell to have the assignment of guarding one of the best players in the Big Ten, again.
2. Defend the perimeter and clog the paint - If Davis is not an option on Saturday, Wisconsin will look elsewhere for help. Expect Wisconsin to turn to Brad Davison and Tyler Wahl for help offensively. Brad Davison can be lethal beyond the perimeter. If Davison gets good looks from beyond the arc and heats up, there can be no stopping him. Last time Rutgers faced Wisconsin, the Scarlet Knights forced Davison and Chucky Hepburn to shoot a combined 2-of-13 from beyond the arc. Rutgers is going to have to put immense pressure on Davison and Hepburn, and deny them any good looks from beyond the arc. Despite the Scarlet Knights playing great perimeter defense in the last meeting, Tyler Wahl killed Rutgers in the paint. Wahl scored 23 points, including 9-of-14 shooting from the field. Ron Harper Jr, Cliff Omoruyi, Dean Reiber, and Mawot Mag are going to have to size Wahl up and play very physical defense.
3. Play with mental focus, physicality, and toughness - Rutgers looked a step too slow in their 71-62 loss to Michigan, and it almost appeared as if they lost their edge with tenacity, physicality, and toughness. Steve Pikiell's teams have always been known to be very aggressive, physical, and tough. Rutgers is going to have bring everything they got to this game on Saturday. Rutgers has to remain locked in from the tip. The Scarlet Knights have to rebound well, drive the lanes and draw fouls, and force turnovers. Rutgers cannot allow themselves to get off to a slow start and play catch up, especially against a very possession efficient Wisconsin team. Rutgers has to work for good looks around the basket. Also, they must stay mentally focused. Paul Mulcahy was visibly frustrated in the game against Michigan earlier this week and he cannot allow himself a breakdown during the game. Rutgers also must be smart and not commit unnecessary fouls in key situations.
4. Unleash Ron Harper Jr and Geo Baker - These two are the leaders and faces of this Rutgers Scarlet Knights basketball program. Both must have a big game against Wisconsin. It doesn't always boil down to points, but if they can both carve out assists, defensive stops, and good ball distribution Rutgers is going to be successful. Ron Harper Jr and Geo Baker must continue to work for good shots and not force bad shots.
5. Feed off the crowd - Listen, The RAC is going to be loud on Saturday. It is going to be absolutely insane. Rutgers needs to feed off the energy of the crowd and keep their foot on the gas pedal. Keeping the crowd engaged the entire game is going to make it miserable for Wisconsin.