Three Badgers to contain for Indiana basketball on Saturday

Indiana basketball carries a three-game losing streak into Saturday’s primetime matchup on CBS against No. 18 Wisconsin. Is there any hope?

The Hoosiers have lost five straight games against the Badgers dating back to December 2019 and have not beaten a ranked Wisconsin team since February 26, 2019, where Indiana took down No. 19 Wisconsin, 75-73, thanks to a 22-point performance from Romeo Langford.

Since January 2018, Indiana basketball has lost 24 of their last 27 matchups against Wisconsin, yet the Hoosiers hold the all-time head-to-head lead over Wisconsin, 82-44. Who will come out on top in a primetime matchup, that should have been a top-25 matchup?

Here are my three key Wisconsin Badgers that the Hoosiers need to contain to finally get in the winning column in 2023 and snap their three-game losing streak:

Three Badgers to contain for Indiana basketball on Saturday:

3. Connor Essegian – Freshman Guard – #3

2022-23 stats: 15 GP, 22.3 MIN, 10.3 PPG, 45.9 FG%, 2.1 3PM, 45.6 3P%, 95.8 FT%

This freshman sharpshooter is something else.

As evident from the Hoosiers’ last game against Penn State where Indiana allowed the Nittany Lions to hit 18-of-31 three-pointers, focusing on one of the best shooters in the Big Ten should be a huge priority for Mike Woodson and the Indiana coaching staff.

Essegian has come off the bench in all 15 games this season and has posted double-digit scoring nights in nine of those games. The freshman plays a large role in the Badgers’ offense and they rely on his shooting ability from three-point range.

The freshman standout off the bench has made multiple three-pointers in 12 games this season and has logged four games (including his last game against Michigan State) with three or more made threes. Watch out for Essegian from beyond the arc and please, please guard him.