Wisconsin @ Richmond preview
Barclays Center
Wisconsin looks to continue its winning ways when it faces Richmond as part of the Roman Legends Classic on Monday in New York. The Badgers bounced back from a season-opening overtime loss to Saint Mary's with four consecutive wins, including an 88-70 victory against Green Bay on Thursday, to extend their non-conference home winning streak to 14 games.
"We just need to keep playing hard like we've been playing," Wisconsin forward Nate Reuvers told reporters. "We need to keep sharing the ball and it's pretty cool to see six guys in double figures again." Wisconsin has dropped four of its last six regular-season neutral site games, but hope to reverse the trend by landing its first in-season tournament title since winning the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2014. Richmond remained unbeaten following an 87-57 win against McNeese State on Friday, and hopes to improve to 5-0 for the first time since the 1985-86 season while knocking off a power conference opponent for the second straight year. "These are great opportunities," Spiders coach Chris Mooney told reporters. "This is the best part of the schedule because you get a chance to play teams on a neutral floor."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
ABOUT RICHMOND (4-0): Blake Francis led the way with 20 points and three steals in the win against McNeese State to help the Spiders top 85 points in five straight games for the first time since the 1954-55 season. Nick Sherod drained five 3-pointers en route to 17 points and five assists as Richmond made 16 shots from beyond the arc, which was their most since 2013. Jacob Gilyard went 4-of-5 from 3-point range to finish with 15 points to go along with a game-high six assists while Grant Golden added 10 points and six rebounds against the Cowboys.
ABOUT WISCONSIN (4-1): Reuvers continued his positive start to the season as he scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting to lead six Badgers in double figures in the win over Green Bay. Brad Davison added 15 points in the first half before leaving the game with a lower-body issue, but the junior guard is expected to play on Monday while Kobe King and Aleem Ford each hit a pair of triples en route to 12 points as the Badgers finished with 15 3-pointers, which was the fourth-most in a single game in program history. Micah Potter will have to wait until late December to make his Wisconsin debut, as his final appeal for immediate eligibility following his transfer from Ohio State was denied by the NCAA.
TIP-INS
1. Wisconsin has made at least 10 3-pointers in three consecutive games.
2. The Badgers are ranked third nationally in free-throw percentage (82.6).
3. The winner will meet No. 18 Auburn or New Mexico in the final.
PREDICTION: Wisconsin 76, Richmond 72