Previews
The first conference game is also one of the key games of the year. Purdue, the defending national champions, has played better than many expected in the non-conference schedule. But the match-ups say that this is a game Wisconsin should win in Madison. Offensively, Purdue does not do the things that give Wisconsin problems. They do not run much and their offense is centered around Katie Douglas. The Badgers should be able to contain her. Tamara Moore will dog her defensively. Douglas likes to take the ball to the basket, but, when she tries to do that against Wisconsin, she'll meet Nina Smith up close and personal. Camille Cooper can be effective in the middle but she is erratic. She's 6'4 and athletic, but she will be giving up many, many pounds to Smith. Cooper can be intimidated and Smith can be intimidating. Purdue guards Kelly Komara and Shinika Parks have each had both good and bad games but neither has shown she is capable of carrying the team. If Wisconsin plays well defensively, Purdue may struggle to hit 60 points.
When the Badgers have the ball, they may face a man defense for one of the few times this year. Purdue plays almost exclusively man, but they probably don't have the inside strength to match-up with the larger Badgers. Power forward Michelle Duhart should keep Jessie Stomski somewhat in check, but Cooper is not a match for Smith. If LaTonya Sims is rested and has her shot back, there isn't anyone on Purdue's team that should be able to defend her. Wisconsin should be able to score 65-70 points against Purdue's defense.
Both teams have outrebounded their opponents by about 5 a game so if either team can establish dominance on the boards, they will have a major advantage.
Purdue starters play almost the entire game and they get little from the bench. Wisconsin will have a definite edge in that area.
Wisconsin should win by about 8.
Dec 12 Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis
This should be a "get-well" game for the Badgers. IUPUI is a small, not terribly good school in their second year of play at the D1 level. Their tallest starter is 5'11. They will undoubtedly play a zone, as Wisconsin has shown that they struggle against that defense. It's an important game for Wisconsin not just to win but to play well and show that they are making progress in playing against zones. It would also be nice to see them start taking better care of the ball. Wisconsin should win easily.
This is for bragging rights in the state of Wisconsin. The Golden Eagles legitimately could claim the title of best in Wisconsin last season and they return all five starters. Their game centers around post players Abbie Willenborg and Lisa Oldenburg. The two will not be able to physically match up with the stronger Nina Smith and Jessie Stomski, but the Marquette players will be quicker and more athletic. The game will likely be turn on the battle between those four players. The guard play should also be relatively equal. Marquette has not been playing up to its capabilities this season. The game should be close and the poise of the teams could determine a winner.
The mighty Lady Vols come to town to show the Badgers how far they have or haven't come. It's enjoyable to see how well things can be done, but I'm not sure that this is the kind of game Wisconsin needs. Tennessee's strengths match up against Wisconsin's weaknesses. The LV's are a big, extremely athletic team. Our posts will be stronger, but much less athletic than theirs. Nina Smith has been foul prone. She will have to learn fast or she will foul out in record time. Tennessee can score from the inside and the outside which will provide problem for the Badger defense. The main problem for Wisconsin will be Tennessee's transition game. If they rebound, they will run and, if they run, they will outrun Wisconsin. So a key to the game will be for Bucky to rebound. The second key will be ball control. Whether they press or not, Tennessee will have hands everywhere. Wisconsin will have to take care of the ball better than they have. Probably the best Wisconsin can hope for will be a close loss. The Badgers should not be embarrassed though.
The Badgers and Phoenix will meet, not in the Phoenix home gym, but in the Brown County Arena. While it is appropriate to move a big game to the bigger arena, not playing in their pit will hurt the Phoenix. What will hurt them more is the absence of Chari Norgaard. Last season, Norgaard was a one person wrecking ball as she kept her team in the game in Madison. Without her, Green Bay is a decent team. They have some size and some talent. Ann Warden is a good post player and they, as always, have nice guards. But there's not enough talent on the Phoenix to give Wisconsin a problem. The Badgers should win comfortably, but at least 12-15. Bucky hasn't blown out a team yet this year. It's possible that will change here.
Nov 28 Northeastern at the Rutgers Tournament
Rutgers was not able to find a fourth team so the tournament is a three team round-robin event. Northeastern and Wisconsin close the event Sunday. Northeastern is a decent team, but should not have the horses to challenge Wisconsin. Their key player is senior point guard Tesha Tinsley. They are unlikely to be able to give the Badgers much competition across the front line. It should be a solid win for the Badgers.
Nov 27 Rutgers at the Rutgers Tournament
This will be a major test for the Badgers. Rutgers is a top candidate to reach the Final Four and beat Wisconsin easily in Madison last year. The Scarlet Knights are an athletic, aggressive team that will press and trap the Badgers the entire game. Since Wisconsin is turn-over prone under the best of circumstances, it's likely that Bucky will give the ball up again. It's important that Wisconsin begin to cut the number of unforced turnovers that it commits. The Badger front-court gives the ball up way too much. Last season, Rutgers outrebounded Wisconsin 34-17. If that happens again, Wisconsin will lose. If the Badgers can control the boards and limit the number of transition baskets, this should be a competitive game. Rutgers does not shoot jump shots well and they depend on transition to score. They are not a strong half-court team and they don't tend to score a lot of points. Rutgers is hurt because their top post player, Tammy Sutton-Brown is questionable for the game with a sprained ankle. Rutgers will have problems matching up with Wisconsin's front-court with Sutton-Brown. Without her, the Wisconsin advantage in that area is huge. If Nina Smith can get over some of her freshman foul troubles and stay on the court, the advantage becomes monstrous. Rutgers is currently ranked 8th/10th in the polls. Rutgers should win, but Wisconsin should be able to make it a competitive game.
Nov 21 Nebraska at the Nebraska Tournament
This is the likely championship match-up as neither team should face much of a challenge in the first round. While Tennessee and Rutgers are the sexy teams on the Badger schedule, it's this game and the game with Marquette that are the most important non-conference tilts. The Cornhuskers appear comparable to the Badgers expectation-wise and playing them in Lincoln will be a good test. Nebraska was ranked 24th in the first AP poll while the Badgers were 26th. The Badgers were 30th and Nebraska 31st in the USA Today one.
Nebraska returns virtually its entire team from the group that went 21-12 and lost in the first round of the NCAA's last year. They are led by all-conference guard Nicole Kubiak who averaged almost 20 points and 6 assists a game in 1999. 6'2 senior Charlie Rogers is the top returning rebounder, but the Huskers were outrebounded last season. Illinois transfer Casey Leonhardt is eligible, but Leonhardt was a soft player at Illinois so how much she will help them against Wisconsin's size is in question.
Turnovers have been a problem for Nebraska as they averaged almost 19 a game last season and had 25 in their final exhibition game.
The key to the game will likely be keeping Kubiak in check. That task will likely fall to Tamara Moore. If Moore can contain her, Nebraska could struggle to score. Nebraska will have to handle the bigger, stronger, and maybe meaner Badger front line.
If the game was in Madison, the Badgers would be favored. Since it's in Lincoln, the Huskers are. If Bucky takes care of business and plays with poise, they could come away with a W.
Nov 19 Southern Illinois at the Nebraska Tournament
Southern Illinois is coming off a 5-13 (6-21 overall) eighth place MVC finish. They were a pre-season pick to duplicate that finish this season. They are led by 5'10 junior shooting guard Terica Hathaway who was first team all-conference last season, after averaging almost 16 points a game. This is not an especially tall team, although both starting posts are 6'3. They lost by 14 to the Athletes in Action team that Wisconsin beat. The Badgers have struggled on the road in past years. This is a good way for them to start the season, as it should be a fairly easy road win.
The Parana Club began their American tour by soundly beating Iowa 91-66. Charlotte Sting star Vicki Bullett leads the Paranaians. She should provide some big-time lessons for Badger post players Nina Smith and Jessie Stomski.
Nov 9 Athletes in Action at Madison.
For years, AIA provided one of the most competitive touring teams every fall. The rise of professional basketball has taken a toll on this team and they are not as good as they have been in the past. They have few recognizable names. Jenny Noll and Ann Lemire were average Big 10 players during their careers. Sytia Messer was on the Arkansas team that beat Wisconsin in the WNIT finals.
AIA lost to Michigan 90-75 Friday night and to Purdue 81-58 on Sunday.
This will mark the beginning of what should be the best season in Badger history. The first question Badger coaches have to answer is who will start. Bucky returns all five starters and add Nina Smith. The starters have not been announced. The bet here is that the lineup will look like this:
C: Nina Smith 6'4 freshman
PF: Jessie Stomski 6'3 sophomore
SF: LaTonya Sims 6'3 junior
SG: Kelley Paulus 6' senior
PG: Dee Dee Pate 5'6 senior
5'11 soph Tamara Moore will be the first player off the bench and may get as many minutes as some of the starters. 6'2 Missy Konieczny will be the first post player off the bench and 5'11 soph Kyle Black will get minutes at guard. 5'6 freshman Candas Smith has not announced if she will play this year or redshirt. I will not be surprised to see her in the game.
AIA plays a fast-paced brand of basketball. They probably won't have the talent to challenge the Badgers, but Wisconsin needs to work against the upbeat style they play.