\It's been like going to Great America. It's been a lot of highs, a lot of lows, it's been topsy turvy, but it's been a thrill a minute,"" Head Coach Pete Waite said in describing his team's season.
After a victory over No. 11 Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2 Big Ten, 18-3 overall) on the road last Saturday. The No. 15 Wisconsin team (6-4, 15-6) returns to the Field House to take on the Indiana Hoosiers (5-5, 15-7) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (4-6, 10-9) this weekend.
This weekend marks the start of the second half of Big Ten play and allow the Badgers a chance to improve on the first half of the season.
Throughout the first half the Badgers have seen both the good and the bad and are now looking for some stability.
""We're starting to see glimpses of what we can be and we need to bring that every night,"" junior defensive specialist Korie Gardner said. ""I think consistency is going to be huge.""
Playing more aggressively is also another key factor for the Badgers.
""If we come out aggressive, we know we can do a lot better and beat a lot more teams,"" freshman defensive specialist Beth Haberli said.
First on the list of goals for the Badgers is still to win the conference.
""Our goal is to win the Big Ten,"" Waite said, who needs one more victory to reach 100 at Wisconsin. ""I think to go after that goal you have to beat everyone you meet.""
For Wisconsin, that starts with getting revenge against Indiana Friday. The Badgers lost to the Hoosiers in their first meeting of the season 3-2.
""I'm looking forward to getting back at Indiana,"" Waite said. ""We did not play well at all at their place and we can play much better and we need to prove that to ourselves.""
Saturday will be no easy task when the Badgers take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State.
""Ohio State is always a great team no matter what their record is,"" Waite said.
Ohio State and Indiana look to steal a few victories in the tough Field House. ""Both of them are coming in very confident. They're both great teams and we're going to have to play very consistent and very aggressive matches if we want to come out on top,"" Gardner said.
No matter the opponent, it will be consistency that determines the outcomes of this weekend's matchups.
""We can play with the best in the conference and I've seen some great things out of all the players."" Waite said. ""But there are days when we don't play at that level and that's frustrating.""
One thing is for sure'the Badgers are glad to be back playing at home and are happy to have a great win to build off of.
""I'm always looking forward to the home crowd,"" Waite said. ""It's a chance for us to prove that we can put some great matches back- to-back and get after the conference title.\
