The Virginia Cavaliers are gearing up to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in the Fort Myers Tip Off tournament. This matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams since their series between 2012 and 2018. Virginia has had the upper hand in their previous encounters, winning three out of the four games and holding a 4-2 all-time record against the Badgers.

Wisconsin heads into the tournament with two losses already on their record. They fell to a strong Tennessee team in a home game and suffered a defeat at the hands of Providence on the road. While these losses were not necessarily disastrous, they have highlighted some areas where improvement is needed.

In their recent game against Robert Morris, Wisconsin struggled to find their rhythm. The game remained tied in the second half, and the Badgers consistently gave up good scoring opportunities to their opponents. The lack of defensive closeouts allowed the opposing team to have wide-open shooters without any pressure.

One notable difference between the two teams is their roster composition. Virginia brought back only one starter from last season, while Wisconsin returned all five of their starters, accounting for over 86% of their minutes played. However, this continuity did not translate into success for the Badgers last year, as they finished with a below .500 record in the Big Ten and missed out on the NCAA tournament. They did manage to make a run to the NIT Final Four, but there are concerns lingering around the program, especially regarding their lack of athleticism.

To address this concern, Wisconsin added Storr, a 6'7" wing known for his athleticism and sharpshooting ability. Storr had an impressive season at St John's, shooting over 40% from beyond the arc and earning a spot on the Big East All-Freshman team. Despite his strong offensive potential, Storr's performance in the first few games of the season has been underwhelming. He has taken a significant number of shots for the team but has struggled to shoot efficiently and create opportunities for his teammates.

Virginia's main challenge will likely come from Wisconsin's frontcourt, particularly with players like Micah Handlogten and Crowl. Handlogten showcased his dominance on the glass in a game against Virginia, while Crowl poses a similar threat in the paint. Crowl is not only a reliable passer but also has a decent three-point shooting ability. Despite his career three-point shooting percentage of 31%, he regularly attempts shots from downtown.

In terms of recruiting, Wisconsin had the 34th best recruiting class in the nation this year, with Blackwell being the standout contributor so far. Blackwell has shown his scoring prowess, which is much needed for this Wisconsin team. He went from playing minimal minutes and scoring no points against Tennessee to leading the team with 18 points in the following game against Robert Morris.

Rebounding has been a weakness for Virginia, as highlighted in their game against Florida where their opponents capitalized on offensive rebounds. Similarly, Wisconsin has also shown a more concerted effort in offensive rebounding, with players like Crowl and Tyler Wahl surpassing their career offensive rebounding rates.

Three-point shooting will be another crucial factor in this matchup. Wisconsin has become less reliant on three-point attempts this season but has been struggling with their shooting accuracy. On the other hand, Virginia started the season with strong performances from outside but has seen a decline in shooting percentages recently.

Ultimately, Wisconsin's size in the frontcourt presents a challenge for Virginia. This matchup will be a valuable experience for Virginia's young bigs as they prepare to face ACC caliber opponents in the future.

In terms of a prediction, it is anticipated that the Virginia Cavaliers will come out on top with a narrow 66-61 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. However, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses, this contest promises to be an intriguing battle in the Fort Myers Tip Off tournament.