Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for Wolverines against Wisconsin

Michigan basketball hits the road Saturday to take on Wisconsin and here are three predictions for the Wolverines and the Badgers.

By the time Michigan basketball takes the floor at the Kohl Center Saturday to take on the Wisconsin Badgers, it will have been six days since the Wolverines last game.

That was against Northwestern at the Crisler Center as the Wolverines cemented their first-ever 17-0 start with an 80-60 blowout of the Wildcats. It was impressive for Michigan, which now is getting set for Wisconsin in what might be its biggest test so far this season.

Michigan basketball does own three straight wins over the Badgers dating back to the past two seasons. The Wolverines won in the Kohl Center last season and also beat the Badgers in the 2017 Big Ten tournament championship.

But this Wisconsin team is much different than the Badgers of last season. Greg Gard has them looking like their usual pesky and fundamentally sound selves, which means UM should be on upset alert.

Ethan Happ is also one of the most talented players in the Big Ten. The 6-foot-8 forward averages 19.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists. D’Mitrik Trice has also continued to raise his game and is averaging 14.4 PPG after another strong outing against Maryland.

Wisconsin does have some quality wins and is No.17 according to Kenpom, yet the Badgers have also lost four of their last five games, including two straight at home to Minnesota and Purdue. Wisconsin also lost on the road to Western Kentucky, however, each Badgers loss has been by seven points or less with two coming in overtime.

That along with past history would lead us to expect another close game between Michigan basketball and Wisconsin and with that in mind, here are three predictions for the Wolverines and Badgers.