Offense: F
Wisconsin was able to take its second lead of the game at 47-45 with 9:56 to go in the game. But how Wisconsin ended the game shooting the basketball against Richmond is a summary of how poorly Wisconsin shot from the field throughout the game.
Wisconsin closed the game by shooting 1-for-10 from the field while committing four turnovers. If you break it down a little farther the Badgers only made two field goals on 12 shot attempts over the final 11:15 of the game.
Nate Reuvers made three with 11:15 tied the game at 45 and his two made free throws gave Wisconsin a 47-45 lead. But the Badgers didn’t make their next field goal until the 4:44 mark as Brad Davison’s three tied the game at 50.
Despite how poorly Wisconsin shot the basketball as they finished the game 17-for-50 (34 percent) from the field they still somehow had a chance of pulling out a victory. Simply put Wisconsin could never get over the hump and string together successful offensive possessions against a Richmond defense that forced Wisconsin into a season-high 15 turnovers.
With how poorly Wisconsin was shooting the basketball they didn’t do themselves any favors by failing to give themselves second chances. Wisconsin finished the game with eight offensive rebounds, which they only turned into four points.
The lack of presence in the paint didn’t just include failing to get offensive rebounds but also generating a lack of post touches for Reuvers. Wisconsin scored a season-low 10 points in the paint as they shot 5-for-14 on their opportunities in the paint. Including missing their last five shots in the paint as the last made field goal by Wisconsin in the paint came with 13:17 to go in the second half.
Grant Golden did a good job of challenging each shot against Wisconsin in the paint as he was responsible for one of the three blocks by Richmond. In addition, Golden was one of the main reasons why Wisconsin couldn’t generate second chances as 10 of his 12 rebounds came on the defensive glass.
Although Richmond did a good job of taking away the paint from Wisconsin at the same time the Badgers didn’t try and generate post opportunities either. Considering they needed to especially with Wisconsin struggling to find the bottom of the net from three.
Wisconsin attempted a three one too many times considering 27 of their 50 shot attempts came from three. Although Wisconsin shot a combined 26-for-54 (48.1 percent) from three the last two games the Badgers couldn’t recapture the same magic as Wisconsin only made seven of their 3-point attempts.
Tyler Wahl was the only player for Wisconsin to make at least two three’s as he made both of his attempts. While all five of Wisconsin’s starters attempted at least three, 3-pointers as they went a combined 4-for-21.
Reuvers and Kobe King were the only two Badgers to reach double figures finishing the game with 17 and 10 points respectively.