For a second game in a row, Pitt will be facing an opponent who’s local media is completely focused on a college football bowl game. They have this Citrus Bowl or something on January 2, and that seems to be a big deal. I mean they are playing Auburn, and like, Pitt already crushed Auburn this year. Sure the crushing was in basketball, but then, that’s what’s important right now. No, I’m not in denial about the past football season. Why do you ask?

This will be the big game for Pitt. The Badgers can throw 3 big guys inside at teams. Forward-Center Brian Butch and Center Greg Stiemsma are both 6′ 11″, and Forward Center Jason Chappell is 6’10”, and all 3 are around 240-245. The point was made leading up to the South Carolina game that Aaron Gray would finally play inside against someone who could look him in the eye. Wisconsin actually has an inside size advantage.

Anyhow, game notes from Wisconsin (PDF) have the stats and it suggests that this is a team that will go inside on offense, then kick it out to the guards for the outside shots. Despite all that size inside, they are not a particularly dominating team on the glass. Butch is their leading rebounder with 6.8 per game.

Pitt game notes are here (PDF). The game is on FSN-Pittsburgh, ESPN Gameplan and apparently MSG is carrying it in the NY/NJ area (hat tip, Steve). For the rest of us it is Radio or the internet.

The game caught the attention of Greg Doyel at CBS Sportline, who included it in his top-ten games of the weekend.

No. 24 Wisconsin at Pittsburgh: Its schedule has been weak, but 10-0 Pittsburgh’s for real. Intermingled with all that tiptoeing through the daisies, the Panthers trashed Auburn and won at South Carolina. And this game is in Pittsburgh. So the pick here is obvious. Pick: Wisconsin.

I’m strangely happy to see Pitt not being picked, though it would appear some sports books have made Pitt a 4.5 point favorite. Many, however, have this one off.