WKU Basketball: Tops Head To Madison To Battle Badgers

After a disappointing effort following finals week in Athens against the Ohio Bobcats, the Toppers are back at it tonight in Madison…

After a disappointing effort following finals week in Athens against the Ohio Bobcats, the Toppers are back at it tonight in Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Badgers.

Game Info

Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Kohl Center | Madison, Wisconsin
TV: FS1 (Tim Brando, Stephen Bardo)
Radio: The Hilltopper IMG Sports Network

If there is one thing the loss against Ohio showed us, it’s the importance of Lamonte Bearden on the floor for the Tops, who saw limited action (12 minutes) due to foul trouble. And, while guys like Taveion Hollingsworth (19 points) and Justin Johnson (16 points, 13 rebounds) stepped up, Bearden not being on the floor certainly hurt the Tops.

Not that depth (statistical depth, that is) is necessarily the Tops weak spot — in fact, it’s the exact opposite. Six of WKU’s seven scholarship players are averaging in double-figures in points and as we’ve seen throughout the year, any given Topper can turn it on on any given night.

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Wisconsin has had a disappointing start to their year, having had three different losing streaks (a three-game skid and two separate two-game slides) and have lost each of their last two games to Temple (on the road) and against Marquette (at home).

On the stat sheet, the Badgers don’t boast a ton of talent — only Ethan Happ (16.3) and Brad Davison (10.9) are averaging in double-figure scoring.

This game is huge for more than just the obvious for WKU. How will they bounce back after a slow start (but a fine finish) against the Bobcats? Can they catch the Badgers while they’re down? Will Bearden stay out of foul trouble and be the start the Tops need him to be?

Find out all this — and more! — tonight.