Defense: F
In order for Wisconsin’s defense to have success, the Badgers were going to need to limit New Mexico’s paint opportunities and force the Lobos to settle for jump shots.
With Reuvers in foul trouble, it made Wisconsin’s defense susceptible to allowing New Mexico to generate quality looks around the basket. As 34 of New Mexico’s 59 points came in the paint as they shot 17-for-33 on their post touch opportunities. Overall New Mexico shot 22-for-50 (44 percent) from the field and 3-for-13 (23.1 percent) from three.
Ohio State transfer JaQuan Lyle led New Mexico with 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting from the field as JJ Caldwell, Carlton Bragg, and Zane Martin all had 12 points.
One area where New Mexico cleaned up following their game against Auburn was in the turnover department as they turned the basketball over 24 times. New Mexico was able to decrease that number to 13 against Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin struggled to capitalize on turning the Lobos miscues into points as they finished the game with five.
New Mexico was disciplined on the offensive end as they were able to work for quality shots against Wisconsin’s defense as they registered 13 assists on their 22 made field goals.
Caldwell and Martin each registered three assists and with New Mexico making sound decisions with the basketball the Badgers struggled to take New Mexico out of its game plan, which was getting the basketball down low and generating high quality shots.
Obviously, with Reuvers dealing with foul trouble, it prevented him from being aggressive on defense as he had to play smart disciplined defense.
After allowing New Mexico to generate six offensive rebounds in the first half, which they turned into nine points the Badgers did a better job of attacking the defensive glass. Considering, New Mexico only had two offensive rebounds in the second half but the Lobos cashed both of their offensive rebounds in the second half into four points.