With recent injuries to NBA Draft prospects John Blackwell and Nolan Winter, Wisconsin basketball could be shorthanded when facing the in-state Milwaukee Panthers. As Big Ten play looms, the Wisconsin Badgers cannot afford to slip up, no matter the injury situation.
If Blackwell and Winter are unable to play, UW will quickly have to find the secondary scoring options it has been lacking. Against the Central Michigan Chippewas, transfers Braeden Carrington and Austin Rapp combined for 27 points, showcasing some promise of becoming reliable options alongside Blackwell, Winter, and Nick Boyd.
A fast-paced Milwaukee team could test a questionable Badgers defense. Liam Hanley of the Shepherd Express joins Talkin’ Badgers host Kedrick Stumbris to offer the Panthers’ perspective on the non-conference matchup. This year’s version of head coach Bart Lundy’s Milwaukee Panthers is younger than his other recent teams, but it remains an offense-first program. A welcome change from years past, however, is Milwaukee’s surprising knack for taking care of the basketball.
Between injuries, high-octane offense, and the Panthers playing three games in four days, this winter break matchup may wind up more closely-contested than Badgers fans would prefer.
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