You can learn by observing, it’s true. However, the best way to learn a craft or skill is to practice and apply it. Classroom education is a part of training, but at some point, doing the actual work must take place.
As the Wisconsin Badgers get closer to the NCAA Tournament, they are realizing that Micah Potter is getting more and more minutes… and that he can hold his own, thank you very much, at the defensive end of the floor. This is one particular sign of evolution which can mean a lot for Wisconsin in March.
Sunday against Ohio State, Potter played 24 minutes in a balanced rotation for Greg Gard. Five players played at least 23 minutes and eight players played at least 11, with no player playing more than 33 minutes. In Potter’s 24 minutes, no Ohio State frontcourt player went off. Kaleb Wesson finished the day with only eight points on 2-of-11 shooting. Kyle Young, who did not play in the first game between OSU and Wisconsin this season, was often matched up against Potter and scored four points in 19 minutes. No Ohio State frontcourt player scored more than 11 points. Ohio State’s entire frontcourt — starters and reserves — scored 33 points on the day, and some of those points came in garbage time, long after the outcome had been decided.
Potter played significant frontline minutes, and Ohio State’s offense was bottled up for most of the game. More responsibility has not led to more breakdowns — not regularly. Potter at home has become a solid defender. We now need to see him deliver a strong defensive performance in a road game against a decent (read: non-Nebraska, non-Northwestern) opponent, but for now, his improvement on defense has been clear.
Funny what happens when adverse circumstances force players to find a higher level of performance. Funny what happens when adverse circumstances force a coach to juggle his roster differently. Wisconsin has entrusted Micah Potter with more work, and the Badgers have shown they can be a formidable defensive team with Potter on the floor for 24 minutes.
If you want some hope-filled news heading into the stretch run of the season, Micah Potter’s defensive evolution would certainly qualify.