Wisconsin Game!

[BuckyGator]

Didn't see a thread dedicated to tomorrow's game yet...While my rooting interests will be slightly torn, I"m thrilled to finally see my alma maters match-up in...anything!

Obviously should be an interesting contrast in styles - the key from Gators perspective will be how do they handle the disciplined, methodical approach that is a given from a Bo Ryan team. A lot teams - even extremely talented ones - get frustrated/rattled and play right into the Badgers' hands...

As far as the UW line-up, they're in a bit similar boat in that starting PG (Josh Gasser) is out, lost for the season with ACL.

Brust is the most experienced perimeter scorer - while he typically doesn't create much for himself, he is active and can get very hot from the outside. Him versus KB will probably be the key guard battle to watch.

Marshall is new starting G replacing Jordan Taylor - obviously haven't seen much of him yet, but high expectations for him longer-term.

Badgers strength really comes from the bigs -
Ryan Evans is a good athlete and versatile scorer. I'd expect he'll matchup with WY?

Berggren is a big who is very comfortable stepping outside, and is far more athletic than perhaps you'd expect just looking at him. I assume he'll guard PY inside on defense.

Bruesewitz is sort of a scrappy, hustle-type player who does a bit of everything. He's still working his way back from injury, so expect Kamisky to also play quite a bit. He's similar to Berggren in style, but not as developed yet.

Their wild card is true freshman Sam Dekker, one of the biggest recruits in UW history and expected to be one of the top frosh in the Big10 this year. Expectations are sky-high for him, but not sure how big of an impact he'll make right out of the starting gates.

[StrangeGator]

I'm excited too. If I'd had my way, my daughter would be a freshman at Wisconsin. They've always been my favorite Big 10 program. If it was in Madison, I'd be driving up there. Love that town.

[HALLGATOR]

I'll get a game thread up sometimes this afternoon.

[gulfgator]

Should be a tough game, Bo Ryan knows how to win games and his teams have been solid for a longtime, that being said, from a fan of the game perspective, I detest the style of BBall they play, nay unwatchable at times, imo.

[sec1]

it will be a very tough game ....

[GatorPlanet]

Sounds like a Wisconsin team...lots of giant, cheese-fed Swedes and Norwegians.

Should be a terrific game. Size will be a factor, and it sure would be nice to have Prather available.

[BuckyGator]

I'm excited too. If I'd had my way, my daughter would be a freshman at Wisconsin. They've always been my favorite Big 10 program. If it was in Madison, I'd be driving up there. Love that town.

Yes, I'd also highly recommend a road trip to Madison for the return game next year for anyone who can make it. Granted July is a better time to visit than November, but State Street, the Memorial Union, etc. are awesome places to visit regardless.

[jareduf]

Both my brother and sister went to Wisconsin and it's a great school. Definitely worth a trip to visit....but their winters are unbearable.

As far as the game, I knew this day would come. Had Wisconsin beaten Mich St in 2000, we would have played them for the championship. Over the years, I thought we would meet up in a bowl game but didn't happen.

Bo Ryan is an outstanding coach and Wisconsin is one of the best teams in the country at making teams play their tempo. Florida needs to be ready to grind it out against them. I am hoping our speed and bigs will be the difference in the game. Go Gators!

[StrangeGator]

Yes, I'd also highly recommend a road trip to Madison for the return game next year for anyone who can make it. Granted July is a better time to visit than November, but State Street, the Memorial Union, etc. are awesome places to visit regardless.

My daughter really enjoyed the visit there. It was the only regular college town she liked and the only public university (she was accepted to) that she considered.

I like summers and winters up there. The winters can't be much worse than Chicago. This time next year might not be so bad. It was 70 over the weekend, but 27 last night and we got our first snow.

[FranceGator]

Ugh, Murphy is doubtful.

[MJGator8104]

Ugh, Murphy is doubtful.

What? Why?

[alietigator]

Why is Murphy doubtful. Haven't seen that anywhere?

[alietigator]

It's on twitter now. He has an illness and is questionable not doubtful. Could still play it seems like. Missed practice yesterday and today

[akaGatorhoops]

I havent see anything about murph, either???

[jareduf]

Hook him up on a heavy dose of fluids quickly. We need Murphy to play. Hope he can.

[grant1]

Just get Murph ready for Mid Tenn State next Sunday! since I want to see a winner in person.

[runswithbulls]

I'm an illini alum that lives in Gainesville. I hate the badgers and can't wait to beat them badly:). We don't need no stinking badgers! I'll be in the O Dome tomorrow cheering loudly for the gators! Go gators!

[GatorLurker]

I'm an illini alum that lives in Gainesville.

Me, too.

So is my wife.

And we heard so much $h1t before the 2nd Round game in 2000. Good thing that we got the last laugh on that one.

[InstiGATOR1]

Boy it would be nice to get our January team or at least 6 of the 7 most experienced guys on the court at one time.

[UFSECKINGS]

I havent see anything about murph, either???

Ebola virus

[ThePlayer]

Ebola virus

Good thing it's not deadly....hey wait a minute!!!

[sec1]

without Murphy the size factor might be too much .....

[pinecrestgator]

No way we win without Murphy. This would be a great win to have on our resume. I guess it'll be a great win on Wisco's resume. Also, I hate losing to B10 schools in anything.

[sec1]

if we were healthy we would pull away in the 2nd half

[gatordavisl]

I'm excited too. If I'd had my way, my daughter would be a freshman at Wisconsin. They've always been my favorite Big 10 program. If it was in Madison, I'd be driving up there. Love that town. Yep. Madison is a great town. On our way up to Minnesota, the wife and I spent one night in Madison. What a great cultural hang.

[gatordavisl]

On another note, rep to the Illini posters here. My second favorite team. I have family ties there.

[REM08]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but it looks like you guys are 6 point favorites.

[MJGator8104]

And, others in the know have stated that Murphy will be playing.

[RD_gator]

Didn't see a thread dedicated to tomorrow's game yet...While my rooting interests will be slightly torn, I"m thrilled to finally see my alma maters match-up in...anything!

Obviously should be an interesting contrast in styles - the key from Gators perspective will be how do they handle the disciplined, methodical approach that is a given from a Bo Ryan team. A lot teams - even extremely talented ones - get frustrated/rattled and play right into the Badgers' hands...

As far as the UW line-up, they're in a bit similar boat in that starting PG (Josh Gasser) is out, lost for the season with ACL.

Brust is the most experienced perimeter scorer - while he typically doesn't create much for himself, he is active and can get very hot from the outside. Him versus KB will probably be the key guard battle to watch.

Marshall is new starting G replacing Jordan Taylor - obviously haven't seen much of him yet, but high expectations for him longer-term.

Badgers strength really comes from the bigs -
Ryan Evans is a good athlete and versatile scorer. I'd expect he'll matchup with WY?

Berggren is a big who is very comfortable stepping outside, and is far more athletic than perhaps you'd expect just looking at him. I assume he'll guard PY inside on defense.

Bruesewitz is sort of a scrappy, hustle-type player who does a bit of everything. He's still working his way back from injury, so expect Kamisky to also play quite a bit. He's similar to Berggren in style, but not as developed yet.

Their wild card is true freshman Sam Dekker, one of the biggest recruits in UW history and expected to be one of the top frosh in the Big10 this year. Expectations are sky-high for him, but not sure how big of an impact he'll make right out of the starting gates.

^Thanks for the insight!
Judging from the stats, this looks like Wisconsin's lineup:

PG: 5'11 185 George Marshall (Fr): 5 pts/g, 2 A/g
SG: 6'1 195 Ben Brust (Jr): 14 pts/g, 11.0 reb/g, 3.0 A/g
SF: 6'6 212 Ryan Evans (Sr): 9 pts/g, 9 reb/g
?PF: 6'6 223 Mike Bruessewitz (Sr): 10 pts/G, 3 reb/g
C: 6'10 235 Jared Berggren (Sr): 19 ppg, 8 reb/g

Top Bench players:

C: 6'11 230 Frank Kaminsky (So): 6 pts/g, 4 reb/g
F: 6'7 220 Sam Dekker (Fr): 8 pts/G, 1 reb/g, 2 A/g
F: 6'6 210 Zach Bohannon (Jr): 5 pts/G, 5 reb/g
G:6'2 213 Traevon Jackson (So): 4 pts/G
G:6'2 195 Zak Showalter (Fr): 5 pts/g, 3 reb/g, 2 A/g


This game could come down to rebounding. In Wisky's last game, the Badgers had 19 offensive rebounds & 30 defensive rebounds. Wisconsin's best rebounders are the following:
6'1 G Brust: 11 reb/G
6'6 SF: Evans: 9 reb/G
6'10 C: Berggren: 8 reb/G & probably Bruessetwitz

Florida's guards will have to do a good job of staying with their man & boxing out for the rebounds - Boynton will have his hands full against Brust in limiting Wisconsin's ability to get offensive rebounds. In the front court, it should be an even battle between Yuguete-Evans, Murphy (hopefully)- Bruesswitz/Kaminsky, and Young-Berggren. If Florida can stay about even in the rebounding department than Florida should win this game. Wisonsin has more depth than Florida in the frontcourt; so the Gators need to stay away from any foul trouble here.


The Badgers are also a pretty good three-point shooting team. Their top shooters are the following:

G: Ben Brust: 2/2 (100%)
PF: Bruesewitz: 2/2
SF: Sam Decker: 2/3 <-- Wisky's freshman sensation

Both of Wisky's centers step out to take these perimeter shots as well as their PG Marshall. Interestingly, their starting SF, Evans, rarely takes three-pointers (10/38; 26% last season) so it should be a push with Yuguete likely defending here.

Perhaps UF's Michael Frazier (at SF) will go up against Wisky's talented frosh Dekkar during substitutions. After a great shooting night in the exhibition game, Frazier seems to be struggling from long range (0-6, 0%) as well as the other freshmen. Ogbueze did the best from 3-pt range (1/3; 33%). For the season so far, Florida's best 3-pt shooters have been Kenny Boynton (4/4, 100%) & Erik Murphy (3/6, 50%). Rosario (0-2) & all of the freshmen need to improve in this area. Since the game is at home; hopefully, this may be an advantage for everyone to improve their games!

Go Gators!

[RD_gator]

Just get Murph ready for Mid Tenn State next Sunday! since I want to see a winner in person.

That game will be in Tampa!

[Gatorbait2784]

Take it for what it's worth but Brockway tweeted that Murphy has been cleared to play tonight.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Seems a certain point guard with two rings is excited about the game tonight:

@TaureanJGreen: Lets get it tonight #GatorBoys ! Lets kick Wisconsin in the nuts tonight in the ODome! @K_Boynton1 @e_murphy33 @BigPatYoung4 @Will15Yeguete