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Big Ten tournament quarterfinal prediction: Can Wisconsin basketball avenge loss to UCLA?

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Big Ten tournament quarterfinal prediction: Can Wisconsin basketball avenge loss to UCLA?

INDIANAPOLIS – The Big Ten schedule doesn’t offer many opportunities for teams to gain redemption.

But that is the situation for Wisconsin on Friday afternoon.

The Badgers face UCLA in a Big Ten tournament quarterfinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at (approximately) 1:30 p.m. The Bruins defeated the Badgers, 85-83, at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 21.

John Blackwell’s last-second attempt to tie the game was blocked and UCLA snapped the Badgers’ seven-game winning streak.

Matchup to watch: Badger bigs vs. UCLA’s Aday Mara

The Bruins’ 7-foot-3 sophomore had a day against the Badgers in the first meeting. He was 7-for-7 shooting, drew six fouls and went 8 for 11 from the free throw line. His 22 points were six more than his previous career-high. What answers will the Badgers have for this matchup?

Jan 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (7) fights for a loose ball against UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) and UCLA Bruins guard Kobe Johnson (0) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Jan 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (7) fights for a loose ball against UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) and UCLA Bruins guard Kobe Johnson (0) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Wisconsin-UCLA prediction

The first meeting between the teams was a shootout. We’re sxpecting more of a defensive battle this time as both teams shot better than 50% and the Badgers hit 15 threes.

The key for UW to emerge victorious boils down to having a couple fewer turnovers and preventing a couple more offensive rebounds. Also can Nolan Winter and Max Klesmit, who had quiet games in the first meeting, make more of an impact? We think so.

Final: Wisconsin 72, UCLA 69.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Big Ten quarterfinal prediction: Can Wisconsin avenge loss to UCLA?



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