By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

The Purdue men’s basketball team hopes a change in location won’t produce a change in results as it tries to complete a season sweep of Wisconsin.

After beating the Badgers 63-52 Jan. 15, in Mackey Arena, the first-place Boilers (13-5, 4-1 Big Ten) travel to Madison, Wis., to try for their first-ever win in Wisconsin’s Kohl Center. The Badgers (10-8, 2-4) own an 8-1 record at home. Purdue is 0-1 in the year-old facility, having lost its only game there 61-56 last season.

"We had a tough time over there last year, but we’re playing pretty good right now and we just hope to keep things going," said senior guard Jaraan Cornell. "I know we’re playing much better and that’s something that we’ve got to continue to do if we want to go over there and win. I’m sure they’ll be gunning for us."

Wisconsin junior Mike Kelley will try to atone for the poor game he had in the first meeting. The 1999 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year had four fouls and four turnovers and only two points, six rebounds and two steals. Wisconsin relies heavily on its juniors. Kelley, Andy Kowske and Mark Vershaw lead the team in almost every statistical category. Vershaw and Kowske had 12 and 16 points, respectively, in the Badgers’ loss in Mackey Arena.

Wisconsin assistant coach Brad Soderberg said the key to a Badger win will involve stopping Brian Cardinal. Cardinal scored 26 points and had a career-high five 3-pointers to lead Purdue to victory in this season’s first meeting.

"What it really boils down to is we have to solve that piece of the puzzle," said Soderberg.

The challenge the Badgers face in guarding Cardinal, according to Soderberg, is trying to stop the 6-foot-8 senior from abusing defenders. If Cardinal is being guarded by a bigger, slower player, he’ll shoot from the perimeter. However, if a smaller, quicker player is defending him, Cardinal can drive to the basket and create.

Soderberg said his team’s defense hasn’t been good lately. The Badgers had lost three consecutive games before last Saturday’s 85-53 win at home against Minnesota. He also credited Purdue’s defense for being able to shut down other teams’ top performers.

"They come with a real presence on defense," said Soderberg. "They take on the personality of Coach (Gene) Keady. They’re tough. They’re ready to play and I think they compete as hard as anybody."

As for Keady, he said he hopes the Boilers start well like they have throughout their current four-game winning streak.

"We’re going to have to go in there and look for more intensity and try to keep up with them," said Keady. "They’re capable of beating anyone."