The 3rd Man In

Panthers are set for big test

Milwaukee Panthers (9-2) vs. #4 Wisconsin Badgers (10-0)
Location: Kohl Center – Madison, Wisconsin
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: TV: Big Ten Digital Network (BTN2Go.com); Radio: WISN-AM1130

Looking at this matchup before the season even started, many people were already giving the Badgers the victory, but this could now be one of the biggest games between these two teams fans have ever seen.

Milwaukee has only one win all-time against Wisconsin, and that occurred 21 years ago on December 12th, 1992, when the Panthers beat the Badgers 77-72. In fact in the all-time series the Badgers hold a 29-1 all-time record against the Panthers, while holding a 20 game winning steak.

This season the Badgers are ranked number four in the Associated Press poll, with multiple impressive wins. They are coming off a great win against Marquette on Saturday as they won at home 70-64.

Wisconsin has been a very good team on both sides of the ball to begin this season. They are averaging 73.2 points per game, while shooting 45.3 percent from the field including 39.2 percent from behind the arc. They have also only turned the ball over 90 times this season, an average of nine times per game.

Defensively they have done an exceptional job only allowing 63.2 points per game while only allowing their opponents to shot 42.8 percent from the field.

Forward Frank Kaminsky has been the Badgers top player all season. The seven-footer leads the team in points (14.6), rebounds (5.9), blocks (2.1), and shooting percentage (54.4%) per game this season.

Joining Kaminsky in the starting lineup will be guards Traevon Jackson, Josh Gasser and Ben Brust, and forward Sam Dekker.

Milwaukee will counter with their usual and highly successful lineup featuring guards Steve McWhorter and Jordan Aaron, and forwards Austin Arians, Matt Tiby and Kyle Kelm.

In this game the Panthers will need to do a better job of rebounding the ball and not giving the Badgers second chance opportunities if they want to keep this game close.

Although the all-time record is not in their favor, and many people are not giving Milwaukee a chance, this is a new team with a new attitude. This team is the most talented roster Rob Jeter has assembled in his time at Milwaukee, and they have already shown that they are capable of surprising people.

Anything is possible in college basketball, and if Milwaukee can get some luck, while playing smart basketball, who knows what the outcome will be. One thing is for sure is that you can guarantee that the Panthers will come to play.

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