Wisconsin (10-6, 3-2 Big Ten) was able to beat No. 20 Penn State on Saturday as the Nittany Lions marked the first of three straight teams the Badgers will face who are currently ranked in the top 25. Next up for Wisconsin is Maryland (13-3, 3-2), which is currently ranked No. 17 as the Terrapins will try to extend their current winning streak to four games.
In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play Maryland on Tuesday.
LAYUP: GENERATING OPEN LOOKS FROM THREE
Maryland has the length to match up with Wisconsin down low and prevent Wisconsin from generating success around the rim. Making it important that the Badgers are able to knock down their perimeter shots.
Maryland over conference play is allowing their opponents to shoot 27.7 percent (28-for-101) from three. Maryland has done well of limiting teams from three but if Wisconsin is going to have success offensively they will need to be able to move the basketball around effectively in order to create open looks.
Wisconsin over Big Ten play is shooting 31.4 percent (32-for-102) from three, which ranks fifth in the conference.
Micah Potter is 5-for-8 over his last two games from three as it will be interesting to see if he can continue to stretch Big Ten defenses. If he can he’ll continue to help keep Wisconsin’s offense balanced.
Brevin Pritzl over conference play has been the most consistent player for Wisconsin from 3-point range. Pritzl over five conference games is shooting 38.1 percent (8-for-21) making it important they generate opportunities for Pritzl where he can catch and shoot.
MID-RANGE: CAN NATE REUVERS HAVE A BOUNCE BACK GAME?
Nate Reuvers didn’t play his best game against Penn State as he played 11 minutes and he scored four points as both marks were season lows.
In order for Wisconsin to have success on both sides of the floor, the Badgers will need for Reuvers to be able to put the game against Penn State behind him.
In particular, Reuvers will need to avoid foul trouble.
Considering, Maryland over conference play is reaching the free throw line an average of 21.6 times a game. Reuvers is one of Wisconsin’s stronger post defenders as he’s responsible for 34 of Wisconsin’s 61 blocks this season.
Offensively Reuvers will need to be consistent with his shots around the rim. Reuvers over conference play is shooting 38.6 percent (17-for-44) from the field as he’ll need to be able to convert on his shot opportunities around the rim at a higher rate.
Reuvers is leading Wisconsin in scoring at 13.7 points per game but he has seen his scoring average dip over conference play to 10.8 points per game. Reuvers ability to be consistent scoring the basketball around the rim and ability to generate second chances for Wisconsin’s offense will help Wisconsin control the game.
3-POINTER: WISCONSIN’S ABILITY TO WIN THE DEFENSIVE BATTLE
Wisconsin and Maryland are two of the top defensive teams in the Big Ten as the 62.6 points Wisconsin is giving up and the 63 points Maryland is allowing over conference play rank second and third respectively.
Specifically for Wisconsin’s defense, the Badgers will need to slow down Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith as the two are averaging 15.6 and 13.8 points per game respectively.
Cowan will get his shots up against Wisconsin as over conference play he’s averaging 12.6 field goal attempts a game. Making it important that Wisconsin defensively is able to contest each shot in order to make sure he doesn’t get off a clean look. Outside of contesting his shots the Badgers will need to do their best in limiting his passing lanes too as he’s averaging four assists over conference play.
D’Mitrik Trice or Brad Davison will be counted on to make sure they try and limit Cowan’s effectiveness. Cowan over conference play is shooting 33.3 percent (21-for-63) from the field making it important that they don’t allow him to create space and allow him to get off an open jump shot.
Disrupting Cowan offensively and making sure Smith can’t generate high quality shots around the rim will help make sure Maryland can’t shoot above the 36.4 percent (102-for-280) from the field over Big Ten play.