MID-RANGE: CAN WISCONSIN WIN THE REBOUNDING BATTLE?
Wisconsin and Nebraska are both being outrebounded by their Big Ten opponents. As the Badgers are being outrebounded by an average of three rebounds per game while the Cornhuskers are being outrebounded by 11.9 rebounds a game, which ranks last.
Wisconsin’s ability to crash the boards on both sides of the floor will go a long way in helping Wisconsin either generate a rhythm on offense or maintain Nebraska to one shot per possession.
In particular, if Wisconsin wants to control the game throughout they’ll need to make sure they don’t allow Nebraska many second chances as Big Ten opponents are averaging 9.4 offensive rebounds a game against the Badgers.
With Nebraska shooting 40 percent, which ranks 12th over Big Ten play the Badgers can’t afford to allow the Cornhuskers many second chances of developing a rhythm on offense.
For Wisconsin, they need to start finding ways of cashing in on their second chances they generate for themselves over Big Ten play.
Wisconsin has struggled in this area as the Badgers are only averaging 7.4-second chance points. Wisconsin was able to score 10 points off of their second chances against Michigan State marking the second game where the Badgers scored at least 10 points off of their offensive rebounds over Big Ten play.
If Wisconsin can make Nebraska pay for allowing the Badgers a second chance on offense the Badgers should be able to start building a lead early in the game.