Wisconsin (7-5, 1-1 Big Ten) will play Rider (7-3, 1-0 MAAC) for the first time in program history as this will mark the sixth road game for Rider this season. Rider was able to win their first two games on the road against Coppin State and Delaware State before losing their last three road games with their latest setback being against Temple.
In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play Rider to close out non-conference play.
LAYUP: WISCONSIN’S ABILITY TO FEED THE BASKETBALL IN THE POST
Wisconsin was able to score 32-points in the paint in their Big Ten win against Indiana but since that outing, the Badgers points in the paint number have lowered each game since.
The Badgers finished the game against Tennessee with 22 points around the rim their fewest since scoring 18 against New Mexico.
Wisconsin against Rider should be able to generate quality looks around the basket as it will begin with Nate Reuvers and Micah Potter getting the better positioning down low against their defender.
In Rider’s latest game against Temple, they allowed the Owls to score 38 points in the paint marking the third straight game where the Broncs allowed at least 32 points in the paint.
The opportunities will be there for Reuvers and Potter to have success but the Badgers will need to make sure that on each offensive possession they try and create a post touch opportunity.
Considering, Rider is only averaging 2.9 blocks per game as the Badgers should be able to get off clean looks without having to worry about their shot consistently being contested around the rim.
Reuvers has reached double-figures in every game this year with the exception of two as Tennessee marked the second game as he finished with nine points. Reuvers ability to hurt Rider’s frontcourt defense will open up opportunities from three, which will allow Wisconsin to take control of the game early.
MID-RANGE: LIMITING HIGH-QUALITY SHOTS FOR RIDER
Wisconsin will need to feed the post in order to develop an offensive rhythm but the Badgers will also need to make sure to keep the Broncs out of the paint too.
Considering Rider is averaging 34.8 points in the paint over their last five games.
In particular, Wisconsin will need to be ready to limit Tyere Marshall’s post touches as he’s averaging 15.7 points per game, which leads the team and is shooting 60.8 percent (59-for-97) from the field.
Making it important that Reuvers is able to contest his shots or prevents him from attempting a shot. Reuvers is averaging 2.5 blocks a game as he has registered a block in every game this year.
Reuvers ability to play strong post defense against Marshall will go a long way in terms of what Rider wants to accomplish on offense. Rider wants to try and generate their offense through the post and try and get to the free throw line.
Marshall leads the team with 60 free throw attempts as Rider is attempting 26.9 free throw attempts a game. If Wisconsin can take the post away it will force them to settle for jump shots an area where they have struggled as they are shooting 43.8 percent (267-for-610) from the field and 32.4 percent (61-for-188) from three.
3-POINTER: CAN WISCONSIN WIN THE REBOUNDING BATTLE?
Wisconsin has won the rebounding battle in eight games this year as they have been outrebounding their opponent by an average margin of 2.2 rebounds a game.
Rider similar to Wisconsin has done well of attacking the glass as they have outrebounded their opponents by an average of 9.3 rebounds per game.
With Marshall having success around the rim on offense it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he has also been able to dominate the boards too as he’s averaging 10.7 rebounds per game.
In particular, Marshall has done well of generating second chances for Rider’s offense as his 30 offensive rebounds leads the team as Rider is averaging 13 offensive rebounds per game.
Wisconsin has done well of limiting second chances as they are giving up about eight offensive rebounds a game. In order to make sure Rider doesn’t generate an offensive rhythm the Badgers will need to keep that up.
Rider over their last five games has been averaging 13.2 second-chance points. Wisconsin over their last two games has done better in this area as after allowing Rutgers to score 23 points off of their 14 offensive rebounds the Badgers have only allowed a combined 13 points over their last two games.