3-POINTER: THE PLAY OF D’MITRIK TRICE
Trice hasn’t scored over Wisconsin’s last two games as he’s missed his last seven shots. After Trice scored a combined 52 points in Wisconsin’s wins against UW-Milwaukee and Tennessee on 17-for-28 shooting over the last five games he has shot a combined 7-for-36 (19.4 percent) from the field.
Trice will need to continue to shoot the basketball in order to get himself out of his shooting drought. Even if Trice continues to struggle with his shot against the Spartans he’ll still play an important role in Wisconsin’s success on Friday.
Trice will draw the defensive assignment against Cassius Winston as he’ll be tasked to try and slow down one of the most talented playmakers in the Big Ten.
Winston is averaging 22.3 points per game and an impressive 6.5 assists a game over conference play as both marks rank in the top five of the Big Ten. Making it important that Trice finds a way to try and keep Winston out of the lane.
Trice’s ability to do so will help make sure the Spartans can’t generate high percentage shots around the rim for the 6’8″ Xavier Tillman who’s averaging 15.8 points per game over conference play.
Trice’s shot will eventually start to fall again but his ability to provide strong defensive play and continue to help set up his teammate on the offensive end as he’s averaging 2.7 assists will go a long way in helping determine how the game is played.