If Michigan basketball needed any extra motivation this week at the Big Ten tournament, the Wolverines just got it.
That's because the Wisconsin Badgers, the only Big Ten team this season to defeat the Wolverines, advanced past Illinois in the Big Ten quarterfinals on Friday, setting up a rematch between Michigan and the Badgers Saturday at 2:30 PM EST on CBS in the semifinals.
Wisconsin, which has been a different team since its win over Michigan, rallied to defeat Illinois in overtime, 91-88. The Badgers shot the lights out just like they did against the Wolverines, when they beat Michigan 91-88 after connecting on 15 3-pointers.
Wisconsin's defense doesn't get enough credit for that win in Ann Arbor. The Badgers held Michigan to 32 percent from 3-point range, and also limited the Wolverines to 56 percent on 2-point attempts, well below U-M's season average.
Michigan should be motivated after lackluster effort against Ohio State
The Wolverines beat Ohio State for a third time, but Michigan didn't play well. The defense got just enough stops down the stretch. Trey McKenney also provided a lift for the offense, with 12 points coming off the bench.
However, Michigan shot below 30 percent from 3-point range and struggled to keep Ohio State off the offensive glass after dominating the boards in the two previous matchups.
Wisconsin is exactly the kind of team that could give Michigan issues in the NCAA tournament. A team with multiple shooting bigs. Maybe the Wolverines will try more zone or some half-court pressure but they can't allow Aday Mara to get repeatedly dragged away from the basket.
It will be an interesting test either way, but it's a matchup that should have the Wolverines in the mood for revenge, which could mean bad news, at least for the Badgers.