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Key 1: No Turnovers

It’s no secret what Indiana wants to do. Run. Run. Run.

Wisconsin doesn’t have the athletes, the speed or the skill to outrun or outgun Indiana in an up-tempo game. Head coach Bo Ryan knows this; just look at the gameplan he used to slow things down the last time the two teams met.

Last time around the Badgers committed just eight turnovers, and thanks to great reactionary defense, only allowed the Hoosiers three total fastbreak points.

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that number is the lowest for the Hoosiers for the entire season. So, limit turnovers, limit transition and in turn, slow down the game.

A half-court pace favors Wisconsin.

Key 2: No doubling Zeller

Last time around, Cody Zeller dropped 18 points in the first half against the Badgers. Why? Besides Berggren just looking shocked by Zeller’s quickness on the floor, Wisconsin allowed the Indiana star to just muscle his way unopposed to the blocks.

But, the Badgers did a good job responding. Berggren played better in the second half and the team refused to bring doubles on Zeller. The reason? Indiana’s three point shooting. When you bring two down onto the blocks, the Hoosiers know where to fill, and that results in open looks.

And when you have three point shooters like Jordan Hulls, Christian Watford and Yogi Ferell on the floor, that’s just something Wisconsin cannot afford to do.

No matter what Zeller does early, the Badgers have to hope that Berggren and Frank Kaminsky can hold their ground.

Key 3: Don’t Shy Away from Zeller

Indiana becomes a small team when you take Zeller out of the lineup. How do you do that? Attack him. Post up Berggren, post up Evans, just don’t get afraid of taking it inside. It’s understandable if you’re hesitant; Zeller has done a great job improving his defense this season. He’s long, athletic and instinctual.

Like yesterday against Michigan and the second half, the offense needs to operate through the blocks. Berggren must use up-and-unders and get Zeller in the air and make him pick up fouls.

If Zeller gets out of the game, the Badgers have a shot at winning handidly.

Prediction: Wisconsin 50, Indiana 52

Prediction (Sean Zak, Associate Sports Editor of The Badger Herald)

With a spot in Sunday’s tournament title game on the line, UW will have to do what originally seemed unthinkable and beat top-seeded Indiana … again. Although the Hoosiers rolled to a victory over Illinois in their quarterfinal matchup, Wisconsin just played its best half of basketball in recent memory.

That came against a tired and limbering Michigan team, however, not an insanely athletic Indiana squad that awaits at the United Center today. The big men of each team decided the fate of the first matchup in Bloomington, Ind. and they will likely do so again in Chicago.

Indiana Center Cody Zeller dominated Jared Berggren for the first 20 minutes at Assembly Hall back in January. Look to this matchup for your eventual victor. If Zeller has his way with Berggren – who sat out the waning minutes of Friday’s game with four fouls – the Badgers will be in trouble.

Indiana’s seven-footer will look to expound upon his 24 point, nine rebound performance Friday afternoon.

Score: Indiana 61, Wisconsin 51