Wisconsin will need to be able to bounce back after they lost to Richmond in their opening round game in the Legends Classic in Brooklyn. The Badgers will play in the consolation game against New Mexico as the Lobos lost to Auburn 84-59 on Monday night. This will mark the first game between Wisconsin and New Mexico since 1984.
In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play New Mexico.
LAYUP: WISCONSIN’S ABILITY TO LIMIT POST TOUCHES
Over Wisconsin’s last two games the Badgers have allowed an average of 32 points per game in the paint. Wisconsin allowed UW-Green Bay to score 36 points in the paint and against Richmond allowed 28 points as those are the most points Wisconsin has allowed in the paint this season.
Wisconsin will need to be able to shore that up against New Mexico as the Lobos are coming off their loss scoring 38 of their 59 points in the paint.
It wasn’t just one game where the Lobos have had success as on the season they’re averaging an impressive 41.4 points in the paint.
Nate Reuvers has done well in defending the post as he leads Wisconsin with 17 blocks as he has registered at least one block in every game. But until Micah Potter is eligible to play he’ll have to be careful of not getting into foul trouble.
Corey Manigault and Makuach Maluach are both averaging 11.9 points per game and Carlton Bragg is averaging 10.7 points per game. All three have had success around the post but Reuvers ability to stay out of foul trouble will make sure that New Mexico can’t have the similar success they’ve had in past games.
MID-RANGE: CAPITALIZING ON NEW MEXICO’S TURNOVERS
Wisconsin through six games is forcing an average of 13 turnovers per contest. The Badgers, if they are active on defense, will have a chance of easily matching that number if not exceeding it.
Considering New Mexico is turning the basketball over an average of 17.7 times a game and had a whopping 24 turnovers in their loss to Auburn.
Wisconsin’s defense has been able to get after its opponents this season on the defensive end and has made it difficult at times for opposing offenses to get into an offensive rhythm. Wisconsin didn’t play with the same activeness on defense like they’ve displayed against Richmond on Monday night but if they can return to form they should be able to create plenty of extra offensive possessions for themselves.
Making it important that if Wisconsin is able to force New Mexico into meeting their season average in turnovers that they consistently turn their mistakes into points. Wisconsin is averaging 16.3 points off of opposing teams turnovers and if Wisconsin can continue to do that it will allow for Wisconsin to possibly take control of the game and start building a lead.
3-POINTER: GENERATING POST TOUCHES
Wisconsin at times against Richmond settled for long two’s or for three’s as 27 of Wisconsin’s 50 field goal attempts came from three. That won’t cut it against New Mexico.
The Badgers can’t continue to settle for shots as they need to be able to consistently work the basketball around and at least touch the paint once per each offensive possession.
Wisconsin scored only 10 points in the paint against Richmond and that was easily the fewest points scored by Wisconsin this season as in the other five games the Badgers have averaged 27.6 points in the paint.
If Wisconsin effectively runs their offense they should be able to have a better performance in the paint as Auburn was able to score 40 points in the paint.
Wisconsin’s ability to feed the post to Reuvers or have Aleem Ford or Kobe King attack the paint will help open up other opportunities on offense besides trying to generate high percentage shots around the basket.