Essegian leads Wisconsin against Rutgers after 23-point game

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (16-10, 8-7 Big Ten) at Wisconsin Badgers (15-10, 7-8 Big Ten)

Madison, Wisconsin; Saturday, 12 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Wisconsin plays the Rutgers Scarlet Knights after Connor Essegian scored 23 points in Wisconsin's 64-59 victory over the Michigan Wolverines.

The Badgers have gone 8-4 in home games. Wisconsin is fifth in the Big Ten shooting 36.1% from deep, led by Jahcobi Neath shooting 50.0% from 3-point range.

The Scarlet Knights have gone 8-7 against Big Ten opponents. Rutgers ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 15.4 assists per game led by Paul Mulcahy averaging 5.1.

The Badgers and Scarlet Knights meet Saturday for the first time in conference play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Chucky Hepburn is averaging 12.7 points and 1.7 steals for the Badgers. Essegian is averaging 11.8 points over the past 10 games for Wisconsin.

Clifford Omoruyi is shooting 50.9% and averaging 13.5 points for the Scarlet Knights. Cam Spencer is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Rutgers.

LAST 10 GAMES: Badgers: 4-6, averaging 60.0 points, 27.8 rebounds, 10.9 assists, 4.7 steals and 1.0 block per game while shooting 38.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.3 points per game.

Scarlet Knights: 5-5, averaging 68.0 points, 33.8 rebounds, 15.7 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.1 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.