Here is a look at UCLA's matchup with Wisconsin in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
Badgers
BruinsWisconsin Badgers
Record: 24-8 B1G Record: 13-7
Rankings from various analytical-based sites: Net: #19, KenPom: #11, Barttorvik: #13, BPI: #23, Evan Miya: #16.
Best victories this season: UCF (86-70) and Pittsburgh (81-75) in the Greenbrier Tip-off—Mountain Division, Butler (83-74), Arizona (103-88), Iowa (116-85), @ Rutgers (75-63), Ohio State (70-68), @ USC (84-69), Nebraska (83-55), @ Northwestern (75-69), Indiana (76-64), @ Iowa (74-63), @ Purdue (94-84), Illinois (95-74), Washington (88-62), @ Minnesota (74-67), and Northwestern (70-63).
Losses this season: Michigan (64-67), @ Marquette (74-88), @ Illinois (80-86), @ UCLA (83-85), Oregon (73-77), @ Maryland (68-76), Oregon (73-77), @ Michigan State (62-71), and Penn State (75-86).
Wisconsin Badgers
UCLA Bruins
Record: 22-9 B1G Record: 13-7
Rankings from various analytical-based sites: NET: #23, KenPom: #24, Barttorvik: #21, BPI: #25, Evan Miya: #27.
Best victories this season: Washington (69-58), Arizona (57-54) in the Hall of Fame Rivalry, @ Oregon (73-71), Gonzaga (65-62) in the West Coast Hoops Showdown, Iowa (94-70), Wisconsin (85-83), @ Washington (65-60), Oregon (78-52), Michigan State (63-61), Penn State (78-54), Ohio State (69-61), @ Indiana (72-68), @ Northwestern (73-69), and USC (90-63).
Losses this season: New Mexico (64-72) on a neutral court, North Carolina (74-74) in the CBS Sports Classic, @ Nebraska (58-66), Michigan (75-94), @ Rutgers (68-75), @ Illinois (78-83), Minnesota (61-64), at Purdue (66-76), and @ Maryland (61-79).
UCLA Bruins
Preview of the game between UCLA and Wisconsin.
These two teams played one another back in late January, where the Bruins pulled off an 85-83 home victory against the Badgers. This game will be played on a neutral court and the winner of this game will advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament.
Wisconsin has been up and down of late, losing to Penn State at home, which had them lose their double bye opportunity of the B1G tournament, but they have won three of their last five games, which included a win yesterday over Northwestern.
UCLA overall has fared a little better of late in comparison to the Badgers but they also suffered a disappointing home loss against Minnesota in late February but they have won three of their last four games, which included a road win at Northwestern.
The Bruins match up well against the Badgers, and this game could be very close, but UCLA should be determined to win this game to advance to the semifinals with the possibility of winning the Big Ten tournament like the women's team did last weekend. A win against Wisconsin can secure a five seed in the NCAA tournament instead of where they are currently projected as a No. 6 seed by most bracketologists heading into this game.
Game prediction for UCLA vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin has already played a game and could get out to an early lead in this game. However, UCLA is determined and focused to make a run in this tournament. The Bruins offense came alive in their win over USC and UCLA was able to put up 85 against the Badgers the last time they played one another. The Bruins find a way to win this game by a final score of 81-75.