Wisconsin Faces Rutgers in High-Stakes Big Ten Showdown

The Wisconsin Badgers (11-3, 1-0 Big Ten) will take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-6, 1-2 Big Ten) in a pivotal Big Ten matchup on Monday, January 6, at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, N.J. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET, with the game airing on FS1. The Badgers, coming off a dominant 116-85 victory over Iowa, aim to continue their momentum against a Rutgers team led by standout freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.

Wisconsin enters the game with a strong offensive performance in their recent win, shooting an impressive 67.7% from three-point range and setting a Big Ten record with 21 made threes. Sophomore guard John Blackwell, who scored a career-high 32 points against Iowa, will be a key player to watch. The Badgers are 8-0 this season when scoring more than 65 points and have shown resilience in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games, boasting a 5-3 record against top-tier opponents.

Rutgers, meanwhile, relies heavily on its freshman duo. Harper, averaging 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, and Bailey, averaging 19.9 points and 7.7 rebounds, have been the backbone of the Scarlet Knights’ offense. However, the team has struggled with depth, as no other player averages more than 7.8 points per game. Rutgers is undefeated at home this season (7-0) and holds a 75-19 home record since 2019-20 under head coach Steve Pikiell.

The series between the two teams has been closely contested, with Wisconsin leading 11-6 overall but Rutgers holding a 4-3 edge in games played in Piscataway. The Badgers have won two of the last three road meetings, but Rutgers has secured three of the last five matchups. Wisconsin’s ability to contain Harper and Bailey, while capitalizing on their three-point shooting, will be critical to securing a road victory.

According to SportsLine’s predictive model, the game is expected to be tightly contested, with the model leaning toward the under on the 156.5-point total. The Badgers are slight 1-point favorites, but Rutgers’ home-court advantage and the dynamic play of its freshmen make this a must-watch Big Ten clash.