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No. 8 Wisconsin focused on Big Ten title

Mar 5, 2008 - 1:11 PM Penn St (14-14) at No. 8 Wisconsin (24-4) 9:00 pm EST

MADISON, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- No. 8 Wisconsin looks to take another step toward the Big Ten title on Wednesday against a team it has dominated at home.

The Badgers (24-4, 14-2) play their final home game against Penn State. Wisconsin has defeated the Nittany Lions (14-14, 6-10) seven consecutive times and has won the last 10 meetings at home.

The Badgers posted a 57-42 victory over Michigan State last Thursday for their fifth straight victory. Senior forward-center Brian Butch leads Wisconsin at 12.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

"We had some guys nicked up a little bit that needed some tender loving care," Badgers coach Bo Ryan said. "So if you're better physically, then you feel better mentally, hopefully that helped."

Wisconsin, 15-2 at home this season, defeated Penn State on the road, 80-55, on January 15. In that game, the Nittany Lions lost leading scorer Geary Claxton to a season-ending knee injury. Including that contest, Penn State is 4-9 without the senior forward, who still leads the team at 17.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

The Nittany Lions are trying to win three consecutive conference games for the first time since 2001.