Resurgent Wisconsin, which rejoined the AP rankings at No. 24 this week, will look for its sixth consecutive victory when it faces Ohio State on Tuesday in Madison, Wis.Wisconsin (13-3, 3-2 Big Ten) pulled away in the second half for an 80-59 victory over Minnesota on Friday, despite playing without Max Klesmit (ankle). The injured guard’s status for Tuesday was uncertain.”We’ll see how he responds, but I think he’s feeling better and better every day,” Badgers coach Greg Gard said Monday.Ohio State (10-6, 2-3) lost at home to then-No. 15 Oregon on Thursday, 73-71.Wisconsin opened the season 8-0, then dropped three straight, including its first two conference games. Since then, the Badgers have bounced back with five straight wins, the past three in conference play.John Tonje leads a balanced Wisconsin attack with an average of 18.3 points per game. John Blackwell averages 15.4, and he is followed by Nolan Winter (11.0), Klesmit (10.5), and Steven Crowl (10.3).Winter pulls down a team-best 6.1 rebounds per game, followed by Crowl at 5.6.Crowl had 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting against the Golden Gophers. Over the Badgers’ five-game winning streak, the 7-footer is averaging 16.6 points and shooting 76.2 percent (32 of 42), has made 6 of 11 from beyond the arc and is pulling down 6.4 rebounds per game.”He understands how good he can be when he’s aggressive, and he’s been assertive and dominant in his own way,” Gard said following the Minnesota game. “I’m just happy for Steve because he’s been committed to this place and worked extremely hard. As I’ve said, an aggressive Steve is a good Steve, and we’ve got to keep that going.”The Badgers, playing at a more up-tempo pace this season, average 83.1 points and allow 70.6. Dating back to last season, Wisconsin is 25-1 when holding opponents to 70 points or fewer, including 8-1 this season.Wisconsin, 9-1 at home, leads the nation in free-throw percentage at 85.1 percent.
No. 24 Wisconsin looks to continue climb against Ohio State
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