When Wisconsin and Ohio State played for the first time over a month ago the Badgers were able to pick up a key road victory against the Buckeyes. The Badgers will now look to rebound from their road loss to Minnesota on Wednesday and complete the season sweep of the Buckeyes.
In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play Ohio State on Sunday.
LAYUP: LIMITING OHIO STATE’S CHANCES FROM 3-POINT RANGE
Minnesota hurt Wisconsin from 3-point range in the first half allowing for the Gophers to build a lead against Wisconsin and ultimately control the game.
Wisconsin can’t allow Ohio State to follow a similar game plan on Sunday against the Badgers. Making it important that Wisconsin challenges each 3-point shot attempt by the Buckeyes.
Ohio State over conference play is averaging 8.5 made three’s a game, which ranks second in the Big Ten. In the first meeting against Wisconsin, the Badgers held Ohio State to shoot 6-for-20 (30 percent) on their 3-point opportunities.
The six 3-pointers made by Ohio State in the first meeting is right where the Badgers defense is allowing over conference play as opponents make an average of 6.5 three’s a game on an average of 19.6 3-point attempts a game.
The Buckeyes have four players ranked in the top 10 in 3-point percentage as Andre Wesson’s 47.4 percent (18-for-38) leads the team. Wesson in the first matchup against Wisconsin went 1-for-2 from three but in the eight games since the two teams played has made half of his 30 attempts from three.
The Badgers can’t afford for Wesson to have many opportunities to have success from three. If they allow him to step into a three uncontested considering the way he’s shooting it from three as of late he will make Wisconsin’s defense pay for its defensive mistake.