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Wisconsin vs. Northwestern prediction and game preview. The Badgers are looking to win their ninth straight game, while the Wildcats are hoping to break their two-game skid.

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Wisconsin vs. Northwestern Game Preview

When: Sunday, Feb. 12 – 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
TV Broadcast: BTN

Greg Gard’s No. 7 Badgers (21-3, 10-1 Big Ten) are coming off of a third overtime road victory in their last six games this past Thursday night, as they won a 70-69 matchup at Nebraska. The Badgers have a quick turnaround after getting home early Friday morning, and they’ll be looking to win their ninth straight game. Senior forward Nigel Hayes scored a game-high 20 points against the Cornhuskers, including a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in overtime that lifted the Badgers to victory.

Meanwhile, Chris Collins and the Wildcats (18-6, 7-4) are scuffling, having dropped two straight, including a 68-61 home defeat to Illinois on Tuesday. The ‘Cats turned the ball over five times in the closing minutes of a game they should have won.

The last time these two teams met, Bryant McIntosh scored 28 points to lead Northwestern to a rare win over Wisconsin, 70-65, in Evanston. It was the Wildcats’ third victory in the last 17 games against the Badgers. The point guard added four rebounds and five assists, and the Wildcats’ 34-25 rebounding edge helped them outscore the Badgers in the paint, 30-18.

Wisconsin Wins If …

… Illinois native Ethan Happ has his usual type of performance. The star Badger has blossomed into a premier big man following his Big Ten freshman of the year season. He is the Badgers’ top scorer and rebounder, though his hot play as of late came to an end against the Cornhuskers. He recorded only eight points on 3-of-9 shooting, and the Badgers needed OT to put away the Huskers. Before that subpar outing, he had averaged 21.6 points while shooting 64.2 percent over his last five games.

Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes, who are the other notable Badger stars, unquestionably need to do their part for their team to play its best. But Happ is the No. 1 guy in Madison, and the Badgers should be able to take care of business against the Wildcats if he more closely resembles the player we were used to seeing before the effort against Nebraska.

Northwestern Wins If …

… The Wildcats are able to focus on the play on the court and not the buzz about the team flirting with its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. The Wildcats, who before the two-game skid won six straight in conference play for the first time since 1933 and made the AP Top 25 poll for the first time since 2009, will continue their tough slate when Melo Trimble and Maryland visit Evanston after the game against the Badgers. Collins needs to ensure that his players are 100 percent focused on Wisconsin and no one else.

It would help if Scottie Lindsey can play. The star was hit with the mono bug, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Lindsey is the team’s top scoring option and second-best defender who hasn’t played the last two games, which were both losses. Freshman Isiah Brown has started the last two games, and McIntosh has looked a little more fatigued trying to take on a bigger offensive role.

Matchup To Watch

Northwestern Defense vs. Northwestern Offense

If Lindsey is out again, Northwestern will have a tough time scoring. So that’s why it will have to win with defense. It defended well during its win streak, which helped because the Wildcats aren’t exactly the flashiest of offensive teams even with Lindsey in the lineup. Sophomore center Dererk Pardon, who had the game of his life against Nebraska with 22 rebounds and 19 points, doesn’t need to have an otherworldly performance. But he needs to help control the boards as the ‘Cats did against the Badgers last year.

Betting Odds

Spread: Wisconsin -10
Over/Under: No line as of post

Wisconsin vs. Northwestern Prediction

The Wildcats give a valiant and gutsy effort behind Vic Law in a tough environment, but the Badgers’ balance behind Happ, Koenig and Hayes is the difference in a very tight Big Ten tilt.

Wisconsin vs. Northwestern final score prediction: Wisconsin 61, Northwestern 57

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