FACTS & STATS: Site: Conseco Fieldhouse (18,345) -- Indianapolis, Indiana. Television: ESPN. Home Record: 6-9, Wisconsin 16-2. Away Record: 2-10, Wisconsin 10-2. Neutral Record: 2-2, Wisconsin 0-0. Conference Record: 5-13, Wisconsin 16-2. Series Record: Michigan leads, 86-60.

GAME NOTES: Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will be the venue for a matchup between the top-seed Wisconsin Badgers and the ninth-seeded Michigan Wolverines, as the two schools collide in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Behind a strong defensive performance, the Wolverines clawed out a 55-47 victory over Iowa in opening round action. It was a surprising performance by Michigan, which closed out its regular season with four losses in its last five contests. Overall, the Wolverines suffered 21 setbacks and finished with meager 5-12 Big Ten ledger. The Badgers will be a handful in this postseason, as the team enters Big Ten action with wins in 20 of its last 22 contests. The Badgers finished the season with an outstanding 26-4 ledger, which included an equally impressive 16-2 league mark. The 16 conference wins is a school record for Wisconsin, which claimed its third regular season Big Ten title in the last seven years. The winner of this contest will move to the semifinal round to battle either Ohio State or Michigan State. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the Wolverines have a commanding 86-60 edge over Wisconsin. However, the Badgers have won seven of the last nine matchups, including both meetings this season.

The Wolverines put forth a dominating defensive display yesterday, as they captured a 55-47 victory over Iowa. In the eight-point win, Michigan held the Hawkeyes to a pathetic 31.9 percent shooting effort, which also included an equally poor 2-of-17 clip from long range. Manny Harris led the way at the other end of the court, scoring 19 points for the Wolverines. Harris has been the top scoring threat for Michigan all year and comes into this contest averaging 16.5 ppg, while also pacing the team with 109 assists and 45 steals. DeShawn Sims added 14 points and pulled down 10 caroms in the win, while Anthony Wright chipped in nine points. Sims has been the main option in the paint for Michigan, posting 12.5 ppg to go along with a team-high 5.2 rpg. Unfortunately no other player on the roster is averaging over seven points, which is why Michigan as a team is producing a meager 63.9 ppg.

The Badgers are one of the top defensive teams in the country, and have the ability to shut down almost any opponent. Wisconsin is currently tops in the nation in scoring defense, limiting the opposition to just 54.3 ppg. The Badgers have allowed more than 60 points in a contest on just six different occasions this season, and have held the opposition to a meager 38.3 percent shooting effort. Shockingly the Badgers' defensive play was even tougher down the stretch, as the squad held its last four opponents to a mere 47.0 ppg. At the other end of the floor, the team has relied heavily on Brian Butch, who is leading the team with 12.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Trevon Hughes is only shooting 39.5 percent from the floor, but the guard is still netting 11.8 ppg to go along with 76 assists and a team-high 55 steals. Marcus Landry rounds out the double-figure performer with 11.2 ppg, and is also collecting 5.1 rpg. On the year, Wisconsin has been mediocre offensively, netting 68.2 ppg, while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor.

Michigan has struggled all year offensively, and that does not bode well when pitted against the Badgers. Wisconsin should have no trouble shutting down the Wolverines, as the team moves into the semifinals with relative ease.

Predicted Outcome

Wisconsin 67, Michigan 53