The Badgers (2-5) take on their first ranked team of the season as No. 6 Duke (6-0) comes to the Kohl Center on Thursday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Wisconsin looks to overcome a rash of early-season injuries and make a statement against the Blue Devils.
Wisconsin is currently on a five-game losing streak, including two in the Concord Hilton Thanksgiving Classic in Moraga, Calif. last weekend. However, junior forward Anya Covington did pick up her all-tournament honors in the process. Covington led the Badgers by averaging 13 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She has stepped in for injured senior forward Lin Zastrow, who suffered a right knee injury in a Nov. 21 game against Kansas.
""Anya is a very powerful, strong woman,"" head coach Lisa Stone said. ""That's something that our team needs is someone with a solid-rock foundation.""
Senior guard Alyssa Karel returned to the lineup against Kansas after missing the first three games of the season with a knee injury. The co-captain is a leader on the court for the Badgers, and she scored a team-high 13 points in their last game against St. Mary's College. Senior forward Tara Steinbauer has also started the season off well, as she has already recorded two double-doubles.
""The coaches always say that we're going to go as far as the seniors want to take us, and that's true, said sophomore guard Taylor Wurtz but us underclassmen have to step up and help them with that role because the seniors can't do it all by themselves."" Wurtz has played in every game this season for the Badgers and tied her career-high 11 points against Marquette on Nov. 24.
The Blue Devils are in the middle of a four-game road trip and are coming off of a close win against Charlotte last Sunday. Senior guard Jasmine Thomas leads the team, as she poured 19 points in that game and averages 15.8 points per game for the year. The top rebounder for the team is senior center Krystal Thomas, contributing over eight rebounds per game. She has also been efficient on offense, shooting a stellar 59 percent from the field. As a team, the Blue Devils shoot nearly 43.5 percent.
The Badgers have played plenty of close games lately, and have been able to come back from deficits late in contests. As a team, the Badgers shoot 42 percent from the field and hold their opponents to under 38 percent. The key to their success this season is going to be overcoming their injuries and then staying healthy.
""Those losses are in the past. We don't dwell or reflect on those too much, we use them as learning opportunities,"" Steinbauer said. ""I think it's our time to get a win and knocking off the number six ranked team in the nation would be a great way to do it.""
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. at the Kohl Center on Thursday night. It is UW Student Night, and all students with a valid student ID will get free admission. The game will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network.
