The last time Michigan played Wisconsin, senior DeShawn Sims started his midseason tear through the Big Ten schedule. The forward led the Wolverines with 23 points and 13 rebounds in perhaps his most impressive effort of the season.

Unfortunately, the Wolverines blew a lead that they held for the game's first 26 minutes. The Badgers went on a 24-9 run to finish the contest, giving Wisconsin the win at home 54-48. Michigan lost its next two games to Purdue and Michigan State in the heart of its Big Ten schedule.

One of the biggest reasons for the loss was Sims’s lack of touches in the final minutes. While the senior dominated in a physical low-scoring matchup against the Big Ten's top defense, Michigan (4-6 Big Ten, 11-11 overall) settled for low-percentage jump shots when Wisconsin made it close. The Wolverines started a three-game skid that likely sealed their fate as a middle-of-the-road Big Ten team that may not make the NIT.

Despite the disappointment in the last five games, Michigan will look for redemption this Saturday when it takes on Wisconsin (7-3, 17-5), this time at Crisler Arena.

While the Badgers have always played tough defense — they lead the conference in the fewest points allowed per game — the Wolverines are a surprising second.

Coming into this season, Michigan was expected to win games based on its three-point shooting. But despite shooting poorly from the field the Wolverines stayed in games by holding opponents to just 61.3 points per game.

But, in last Monday’s contest, Michigan started to show some chinks in the armor. While Northwestern didn’t score much more than the average allowed, winning the game 67-52, it was the way the Wildcats took over the contest that was concerning.

“I think they continued to hit shots,” freshman Darius Morris said. “You would think they would probably let up, but not in their house, they just keep getting wider and wider, and we just didn’t convert on the offensive end.”

Not only did the Wildcats just pour it on from behind the arc, shooting 50 percent, but they Wildcats slashed through the Michigan defense, scoring 28 points in the paint.

“We got off to the bad start to start the second half,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “We still hung with them because they missed some shot or we played good defense, but once they hit a three and hit another three and got a back door basket all of a sudden it was 12 or 13 and it was very difficult for us to come back from that far.”

While Wisconsin prides itself on fundamentals, this season, Michigan hasn’t been able to pride itself on anything on a consistent basis. Perhaps that’s why both these teams are heading in opposite directions.

“They just do not beat themselves," Beilein said last time the teams played. "They play tremendous fundamental basketball.”