GAME NOTES: Two of the top teams in the Big Ten get together in Bloomington this evening, as the 13th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers play host to the 15th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers. The Hoosiers have won three straight games to move to 20-3 overall and an impressive 9-1 in Big Ten play. Kelvin Sampson's team was in Columbus on Monday, getting by Ohio State in a defensive battle, 59-53. The Badgers aren't far behind in the league standings at 9-2, but come into this game following a 72-67 setback to league leading Purdue last weekend. The loss was just the fourth this season for Wisconsin, and halted a three-game win streak for the Badgers. Indiana maintains a sizeable advantage in the all-time series with Wisconsin (94-56), but it is the Badgers looking for the regular season sweep, after knocking off the Hoosiers in Madison on January 31st, 62-49.

The Badgers are only averaging 68.9 ppg this year, but when you lead the nation in scoring defense (54.9 ppg), you don't have to be an offensive juggernaut. The team is shooting the ball fairly well this year (.456) and has three players currently averaging double figures in Trevon Hughes (12.7 ppg), Brian Butch (12.7 ppg) and Marcus Landry (11.0 ppg). Hughes leads the team in steals as well (49) and ranks second in assists (61), while Butch is the team's top rebounder (7.0 rpg). The Badgers were able to cut a 15-point Purdue lead to three points down the stretch, but could not get over the hump at home this past weekend, falling to the Boilermakers by five. Purdue shot a scorching .531 from the floor, compared to a mere .327 effort for the home team. Still, Wisconsin was able to close the gap in the end thanks to a 43-21 edge on the boards, including a whopping 19 offensive rebounds. Michael Flowers and Jason Bohannon led the team with 14 points apiece. Joe Krabbenhoft just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Butch chipped in 10 points.

Indiana has a plethora of options at the offensive end of the floor and will certainly test Wisconsin's vaunted defense in this one. The Hoosiers are shooting a solid .472 from the floor this season and .754 from the charity stripe, leading to a respectable 76.5 ppg. The nation has witnessed several freshmen taking over teams and putting up huge numbers and Indiana's Eric Gordon is certainly among that group. The 6-4 youngster leads the Big Ten in scoring at 21.3 ppg, thanks to NBA-type range. Gordon is shooting .411 from behind the arc, hitting 60 three-pointers to date. Senior forward D.J. White provides the perfect complement with his strong interior presence. The 6-9 monster ranks second in the league in scoring (17.6 ppg) and first in rebounding (10.7 rpg) and shoots .620 from the floor, with a team-high 41 blocks. Guards Jordan Crawford and Armon Bassett give the team plenty of perimeter support, with 10.5 and 10.1 ppg, respectively. The team shot just .421 from the floor against the Buckeyes this week, but White led the squad to victory with his 15th double-double of the season, netting 21 points and grabbing 13 caroms. Gordon added 15 points for the Hoosiers, who recorded their fifth Big Ten road win of the season, the most since 1993.

The Hoosiers would like some payback for their only league loss of the season and behind big time performances from White and Gordon, Indiana should be able to deliver in front of the home crowd.