The Wisconsin Badgers might have slipped out of the AP Top 25, but their eyes are still firmly set on a top-four seed in the Big Ten tournament. Such a spot would grant them a direct pass to the March 13 quarterfinals in Chicago. To make this happen, the Badgers (19-8, 11-5) need to bring their A-game on their Pacific Northwest road trip, starting with a showdown against Oregon (10-17, 3-13) in Eugene.
Wisconsin's recent form has been promising, winning four of their last six games. Their latest triumph was an 84-71 victory over Iowa, where they shot an impressive 53.8%.
Leading the charge was fifth-year guard Nick Boyd, who nearly achieved a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Boyd's been a consistent force, scoring in double figures every game this season and averaging 20.6 points per game.
Alongside John Blackwell, who adds 18.5 points per game, Wisconsin boasts the highest-scoring backcourt in the Big Ten.
Wisconsin's head coach, Greg Gard, praised Boyd's relentless pressure on defenses, noting his fiery and emotional play that consistently delivers results.
On the other side, Oregon is navigating its first losing season since Dana Altman took over in 2010. However, the Ducks have their own motivations. They're part of a group of five teams at the bottom of the Big Ten standings, and escaping the bottom four would mean avoiding an arduous six-day run in the Big Ten tournament to secure a third consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.
Oregon's recent form shows signs of life, having won two of their last three games, including a nail-biting 71-70 upset over Southern California. Forward Kwame Evans Jr. has stepped up offensively, averaging 12.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
With center Nate Bittle back from injury and averaging 17.8 points since his return, the Ducks are looking more formidable. Bittle's clutch free throws sealed their victory against USC, a testament to his impact on the team.
Coach Altman expressed pride in his squad after the USC win, highlighting the team's resilience and strong performance on the road. As both teams gear up for this crucial matchup, the stakes are high, and the outcome could significantly impact their paths in the Big Ten tournament.