Williams Arena – Minneapolis, MN
Tip-off: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Line: N/A

No. 6 Wisconsin looks to improve its seed in the NCAA tournament with a road win against Minnesota Thursday.

No. 6 Wisconsin hosted Michigan State on Sunday and came away with a 68-61 win as a 9-point home favorite. The Badgers were up big all game, but the Spartans kept fighting and came away with a backdoor cover. Wisconsin has won 11 of its past 12 games SU, but the team is just 4-7-1 ATS in those contests and hasn’t covered in each of its past four games. Minnesota, meanwhile, beat Michigan State in its last game as well. The Golden Gophers went into East Lansing and won 96-90 as 8-point underdogs. The victory prevented Minnesota from losing its fourth straight game SU, and the team has covered in two straight now. These teams last met on Feb. 21, when Wisconsin beat Minnesota 63-53 as a 14.5-point home favorite. The Badgers have won three straight games in this head-to-head series SU and seven of the past 10 SU as well. The Golden Gophers are 6-4 ATS in those games, but Wisconsin has won SU in four of its past five trips to Minneapolis. The Badgers are also 3-2 ATS in those games. While Wisconsin has won 14 of its 16 conference games this season, the team is just 5-10-1 ATS. Minnesota hasn’t fared any better though, going 6-10 SU and 5-11 ATS versus Big Ten opponents. G Traevon Jackson (Ankle) is out for this game, but should be back soon for the Badgers. The Golden Gophers are not currently dealing with any injuries.

The Badgers are one of the best two-way teams in college basketball, putting up 71.5 PPG (79th in NCAA) on 47.8% shooting (24th in NCAA) and allowing just 55.8 PPG (7th in NCAA). Bo Ryan coaches this team in a way that allows them to limit turnovers and emphasize taking advantage of mismatches. C Frank Kaminsky (18.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.6 BPG) is one of the leading candidates to be the Naismith College Player of the Year. The big man is nearly impossible to guard with his ability to score around the basket and shoot out to the three-point line (42% 3PT). He had 31 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals in 37 minutes against Michigan State last game and 21 points (9-for-13 FG, 2-for-3 3PT) the last time he faced Minnesota. Kaminsky did, however, have just five rebounds in that game and will need to be more effective on the glass because the Golden Gophers outrebounded the Badgers 29-27 when these teams met in Madison. F Nigel Hayes (12.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.9 APG) is another guy that is extremely tough to cover. Hayes had nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block the last time he faced Minnesota. He’s averaging 12.0 PPG over the past two contests and the Badgers will look to get him more involved this time around. Hayes has a very nice midrange jumper and also has the ability to really crash the boards when he has the right mindset. He’ll need to be aggressive as a rebounder in this one. F Sam Dekker (12.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG) had one of his worst games of the season against the Golden Gophers. Dekker had just five points (1-for-8 FG, 0-for-2 3PT) and three rebounds in 36 minutes that game and must find his stroke this time around. One thing he did do well was defend, as he blocked three shots in that game. Wisconsin needs Dekker to play well on both ends of the floor though. G Bronson Koenig (7.6 PPG, 2.3 APG) continues to thrive as a starter for this team. Koenig was superb when he faced Minnesota last time, finishing with 17 points (4-for-10 FG, 3-for-6 3PT, 6-for-6 FT) and three assists in 39 minutes. He’ll need to take care of the ball and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates on Thursday.

Minnesota has played very well offensively this season, putting up 74.4 PPG (34th in NCAA) on 46.3% shooting (63rd in NCAA). This team moves the ball very well (15.9 APG, 13th in NCAA), but is not strong on the glass (33.1 RPG, 235th in NCAA). They did, however, outrebound Wisconsin the last time they played them. Where this team struggles is on the defensive end, allowing 66.6 PPG (173rd in NCAA) despite 10.0 SPG (3rd in NCAA). The Golden Gophers will need to find a way to slow down a very efficient Badgers offense on Thursday. G Andre Hollins (14.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG) is the most important player for Minnesota. Hollins had 17 points and four assists in 30 minutes in the win over Michigan State on Thursday, but he had just two points (1-for-8 FG, 0-for-3 3PT) and two assists in the loss to Wisconsin on Feb. 21. Hollins is this team’s leading scorer and he will need to knock down some shots against the Badgers this game. F Maurice Walker (11.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG) will also need to play well in this game. Walker had eight points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 29 minutes the last time he faced Wisconsin. He’ll need to be a little bit better offensively this time around. He is one of Minnesota’s most reliable scorers and will need to come through in this one. G DeAndre Mathieu (8.5 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG) had 11 points in 21 minutes in the last meeting between these teams. Mathieu is an excellent passer and knows how to get into the passing lanes. He should be in for bigger minutes this time around and will certainly be ready if his number is called late in the game. G Nate Mason (9.6 PPG, 2.8 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG) is yet another excellent backcourt player for this team. Mason is a very good outside shooter (41% 3PT) and had 11 points and five assists the last time these teams played. If he can find a way to create some turnovers then he’ll really be helping his team in this one.