Tag: Aleem Ford

Badger brothers: Micah Potter, Aleem Ford had Nate Reuvers’ back

The Badgers stood tall for each other

“I got your back, brother. Don’t worry. We got this.”

Such was the statement Micah Potter and Aleem Ford, and the rest of the Wisconsin Badgers, made to their brother and teammate, Nate Reuvers, on Thursday night against the Michigan Wolverines.

We all saw Reuvers get popped in the mouth. He wasn’t able to play normal minutes. Wisconsin lost its leading scorer for portions of a big road game against an NCAA Tournament-quality team with a strong defense.

It didn’t matter:

The Badger brotherhood was in evidence when Josh Gasser and Jared Berggren saluted the team, the program, and head coach Greg Gard.

This was a brotherhood spanning multiple Wisconsin teams and recruiting classes. The people who have come before the 2020 Badgers recognize and appreciate what the current team is doing to carry the torch and continue a proud legacy.

Thursday night, though past Badger greats were watching and cheering them on, it was up to the current Badgers — the players in the locker room, the players immersed in the foxhole of live-game pressure — who had to stand up and be counted when Nate Reuvers got hit. Did they have his back?

Did they ever.

Potter and Ford produced twin 18-point games. They both hit more than 60 percent of their field goal attempts. They committed a total of only three fouls in 61 combined minutes. They pulled down a combined 15 rebounds, limiting Michigan to just six offensive boards. They combined to hit five 3-point shots, spacing the court and making it that much easier for D’Mitrik Trice to operate on a night when Trice scored 28 points in an alpha-dog clinic.

Potter’s 18 points helped Wisconsin score a 23-4 advantage in bench points. Ford’s 18 helped Wisconsin’s frontcourt outscore Michigan’s frontcourt, 43-23.

Nate Reuvers was hit in the mouth, but no worries — Micah Potter and Aleem Ford punched Michigan in the mouth.

They had their teammate’s back.

Such is the Badger brotherhood, a central reason why this team has so completely turned around its season in February, developing a full head of steam into March.

Game Day Grades: Wisconsin vs. Michigan

What grades did Wisconsin earn in their Big Ten road victory over Michigan?

Offense: A

After shooting an impressive 17-for-27 (62.9 percent) from the field in the first half the Badgers to begin the second half didn’t display the same kind of consistency on the offensive end.

Michigan was able to quickly cut into Wisconsin’s 43-33 halftime lead to getting it down to two points. Despite Wisconsin missing their first four shots of the second half, the Badgers were able to recapture some of their shooting magic to extend their lead back to double digits.

Wisconsin over that stretch shot 6-for-12 to give themselves a 61-49 lead with 10:03 to go in the game. During Wisconsin’s run Aleem Ford and Micah Potter, each scored five points while D’Mitrik Trice and Tyler Wahl each had three points.

The four players who combined to score the 16 points for Wisconsin each made a three. As the Badgers once again found success from 3-point range as they finished 11-for-23 from distance.

Only four players for the Badgers made a three and three of the four made at least two three’s. Trice led the way as he made five of his six attempts, Potter made half of his six attempts, and Ford went 2-for-3 from 3-point range. Wahl was the only other Badger to make a three as he made his lone attempt.

Trice’s success from three allowed him to lead the team in scoring with 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field. Ford and Potter each scored 18 points as they shot a combined 13-for-20 (65 percent) from the field. Overall Wisconsin shot 29-for-54 (53.7 percent) from the field.

What made Wisconsin’s offensive performance even more impressive is that the Badgers leading scorer in Nate Reuvers only scored two points. Reuvers did deal with foul trouble, which limited him on both sides of the floor but he was able to make a tough jumper in the paint to give the Badgers a 75-69 lead with 1:27 to go in the game.

In order for Wisconsin to leave Ann Arbor with a victory, the Badgers needed to do well of not turning the basketball over. The Badgers met that goal only turning the basketball over eight times as the Wolverines turned Wisconsin’s miscues into eight points. With Wisconsin taking care of the basketball over the course of the game it allowed for the Badgers to develop the rhythm they established on the offensive end.

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3-Point Shot Wisconsin vs. Michigan

What are three things Wisconsin needs to do against Michigan on Thursday night?

Michigan has been one of the better teams in the month of February as they have posted a 6-1 record this month. In the month of February, Michigan has beaten Rutgers twice and they gave the Scarlet Knights their first home loss of the season, they beat then No. 16 Michigan State at home, and also beat a Purdue team on the road too. The lone loss by the Wolverines came to Ohio State as they lost to the Buckeyes by three points at home. Michigan will look to add one more win in the month of February when they take on Wisconsin in the only matchup between the two schools during the Big Ten regular season.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play Michigan on Thursday.

LAYUP: WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE

Wisconsin and Michigan are two teams in the Big Ten that simply don’t turn the basketball over as they are averaging 9.3 and 9.4 turnovers a game respectively.

On the flip side, Wisconsin’s defense and Michigan’s defense is forcing an average of 10.6 and 10.3 turnovers a game respectively.

With both teams having success in terms of protecting the basketball and creating turnovers the game could come down to the team who is able to commit the fewest turnovers and, which team is able to capitalize on their opponents mistakes.

The Badgers over their four game winning streak is averaging 12 points off of their opponents mistakes and over that stretch have forced their opponents into an average of 10.75 turnovers a game.

If Wisconsin is going to force Michigan into turnovers the Badgers will need to bring their A-game defensively as like Wisconsin the Wolverines won’t beat themselves.

What the Badgers do with Michigan’s turnovers could play an important role in whether or not the Badgers can keep within striking distance of the Wolverines.

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Game Day Grades: Wisconsin vs. Rutgers

What grades did Wisconsin earn following their 79-71 home win against Rutgers?

Offense: B+

Wisconsin’s offense was dominant at times against Rutgers but there were also two instances one in each half where the Badgers went at least five minutes without a made field goal.

The second scoring drought the Badgers went through allowed for the Scarlet Knights to creep back into the game. With 11:27 to go in the game, the Badgers were up 58-42 thanks to Micah Potter making his second consecutive three.

But the Badgers went five minutes and 11 seconds without a made field goal and until a timely three by Brad Davison to push Wisconsin’s lead to 10 points with 6:16 to go Rutgers had cut it to single digits.

Over that stretch, Wisconsin went 0-for-4 on their field goal attempts as three of their four shots came inside the paint. The only points Wisconsin could register were from the free throw line as they scored three points.

The scoring drought in the first half lasted six minutes and six seconds. In that stretch, the Badgers went 0-for-7 from the field, which includes missing five straight 3-point attempts.

Prior to missing five consecutive three’s, the Badgers did start the game 4-for-5 from distance. For the fourth straight game, Wisconsin made at least 11 of their 3-point attempts. Overall Wisconsin shot 50 percent on 22 attempts from three and 48 percent (24-for-50) from the field.

Potter led Wisconsin from three as he went an impressive 4-for-5 from distance as he finished with a game high 18 points off the bench. Brevin Pritzl and Reuvers each had 17 points and between the two they shot a combined 3-for-6 from three and Brad Davison finished with 15 points on 3-for-5 shooting from three.

Davison’s made three in the second half, which ended the Badgers scoring drought put him over 1,000 points in his career. Davison finished his day 3-for-7 from the field and 6-for-8 from the free throw line.

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3-Point Shot Wisconsin vs. Rutgers

What are three things Wisconsin needs to do when they play Rutgers on Sunday?

Wisconsin was able to pick up a key victory against Purdue this past Tuesday as they were able to redeem an earlier loss in the season to the Boilermakers. Wisconsin will look to do the same against Rutgers as the Badgers fell to the Scarlet Knights on the road 72-65. Rutgers will enter the game against Wisconsin after suffering their first home loss of the season to Michigan as the Scarlet Knights have posted a 17-1 home record but for road games, they’re only 1-6.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play Rutgers on Sunday.

LAYUP: PREVENTING RUTGERS FROM GETTING OUT IN TRANSITION

Rutgers in the first matchup against Wisconsin was able to force the Badgers into 14 turnovers. The Badgers have done well over Big Ten play of not turning the basketball over as the 9.2 turnovers they’re averaging over conference play is the fewest.

In order for Wisconsin’s offense to get into a rhythm, the Badgers can’t afford to allow Rutgers to disrupt their offense.

The high number of turnovers by Wisconsin against Rutgers allowed for the Scarlet Knights to generate some easy points. Overall Rutgers was able to score 18 fast break points, which at the time was the most Wisconsin has allowed. Not to mention the 22 points Rutgers scored off of the Badgers turnovers is the most Wisconsin has allowed this season.

If Wisconsin can eliminate this area where Rutgers was able to have success against Wisconsin in the first meeting it will force the Scarlet Knights to work for each shot they attempt. It will also allow for Wisconsin to dictate the tempo of the game too.

MID-RANGE: MAKING EACH OFFENSIVE POSSESSION COUNT FOR WISCONSIN 

One other reason why it will be important for Wisconsin to protect the basketball is the Scarlet Knights over Big Ten play have held their opponents to shoot 39.2 percent (355-for-906) from the field, which ranks second.

Wisconsin will have to be patient on offense and consistently work the basketball around in order to try and create an open look for themselves.

Wisconsin over their three game winning streak has registered 49 assists on 74 made field goals.

The Badgers ability to work the basketball around will begin with D’Mitrik Trice. Trice has led Wisconsin in assists over the last six games and has either led or tied for the team lead in assists in 18 games.

With Trice registering a total of 35 assists over his last six games compared to 13 turnovers. Trice’s ability to continue to set up his teammates on offense while protecting the basketball will be critical if Wisconsin is going to generate an offensive rhythm against Rutgers.

If Trice can continue his strong play along with Wisconsin finding a way of generating offensive rebounds will be a win as it will give Wisconsin another chance of coming away with points against a defense that’s allowing 64.5 points per game over conference play.

3-POINTER: CAN WISCONSIN LIMIT RUTGERS ON THE OFFENSIVE GLASS?

Wisconsin struggled at times to keep Purdue off the offensive glass on Tuesday night as the Boilermakers finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds.

Like Purdue, Rutgers was able to have success on the offensive glass in the first meeting as the Scarlet Knights finished with 14 offensive rebounds in the win, which led to 23 second chance points.

If Wisconsin wants to build a lead against the Scarlet Knights the Badgers can’t afford to have them be able to consistently come up with second chances.

Rutgers over Big Ten play is averaging 11.8 offensive rebounds a contest, which ranks third. In particular, Wisconsin will need to be able to effectively box out Myles Johnson as he’s averaging 3.1 offensive rebounds over Big Ten play, which is tied for fifth.

Specifically, having Micah Potter for the rematch will help limit Rutgers second chances. Potter didn’t play in the first matchup as he was still sitting out because of his transfer.

Potter has certainly helped on the glass as over his 16 games he’s played he has registered 93 rebounds with 70 of them coming on the defensive glass. Potter along with Nate Reuvers ability to consistently clean up the missed shots by Rutgers will help make sure Nebraska’s road woes continue.

Game Day Grades: Wisconsin vs. Purdue

Grading Wisconsin’s 69-65 victory over conference rival Purdue.

Offense: B

Purdue certainly put pressure on Wisconsin at the end of the game to make their free throws as the combination of Brad Davison and Brevin Pritzl went a combined 8-for-8 to help Wisconsin win 69-65.

Wisconsin not only needed those last eight points to help maintain their lead but after a made field goal by Nate Reuvers with 5:38 to go in the game to put Wisconsin up 57-48 represented the last made field goal by the Badgers in the game.

The Badgers missed their final eight field goal attempts while going a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. Overall Wisconsin shot an impressive 19-for-20 from the free throw line as four different players attempted at least two free throws.

Pritzl led the team with eight free throw attempts as he made all eight, Reuvers went 5-for-6, Davison went 4-for-4, and Trevor Anderson made both of his free throws.

Although Wisconsin missed their last eight field goal attempts one fact that can’t get overlooked is over the last three minutes and 44 seconds of the game the Badgers came up with four offensive rebounds, which resulted in four points.

Even though Wisconsin wasn’t able to score on two of the four offensive rebounds they registered it still allowed for Wisconsin to run more time off the clock. Pritzl was responsible for two of the four offensive rebounds as he simply out hustled Purdue to come up with the second chance for Wisconsin.

The Badgers who only registered two offensive rebounds in the first meeting against Purdue but on Tuesday they registered 10, which they turned into 12 points. Aleem Ford led the team with three offensive rebounds.

After registering 19 rebounds over his last two games Ford finished with a team-high seven rebounds and for the second time this year, he led Wisconsin in scoring with a career high 19 points.

Ford was one of four Badgers to reach double figures as Davison and Pritzl each finished with 13 points and Reuvers finished with 12 points. Overall Wisconsin shot 19-for-50 (38 percent) from the field. 

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Aleem Ford’s Aggressive Play Must Continue

The play of Aleem Ford down the stretch will play an important role in Wisconsin’s success over the remainder of the season.

In Wisconsin’s win over Nebraska on Saturday Aleem Ford only scored three points on 1-for-5 shooting from the field, which snapped a three game streak of him reaching double figures.

In the three previous games since Kobe King’s departure, Ford was averaging 11.3 points a contest on a combined 12-for-23 shooting from the field.

Ford in Wisconsin’s win against Nebraska didn’t show the same kind of hunter mentality like he did previously. In order for Wisconsin’s offense to have success over the Badgers remaining six regular season games and the Big Ten tournament, the Badgers will need Ford to be able to attack the basket to help generate high percentage shots.

With Wisconsin’s offensive success against Nebraska coming from three against the Cornhuskers the Badgers didn’t need for Ford to attack as three of his five field goal attempts came from 3-point range.

Although Ford didn’t have the same kind of success scoring against Nebraska he did use that attacking mentality that Badger fans have seen over Wisconsin’s last four games on the glass.

Ford who was a rebound shy of registering his first career double-double against Ohio State was active once again on the glass. Ford finished with a season and career-high 10 rebounds against Nebraska. It was also Ford’s second straight game where he led the Badgers in rebounds and his third overall this season.

If Ford can consistently string together strong rebounding games he will help take the pressure off of Nate Reuvers who leads the team in rebounds (119). Ford on the season is only averaging four rebounds a game and his 100 rebounds rank fourth on the team.

In particular, if Ford’s aggressive style of play continues over the remainder of Wisconsin’s season even if his shot isn’t falling he can still make a positive impact by cleaning up his miss or one of his teammates by collecting an offensive rebound.

Wisconsin is only averaging 8.1 offensive rebounds over conference play, which ranks 13th in the league. Simply put with games starting to have more significance as the Badgers try to improve where they are in the Big Ten standings and to continue to solidify their seed in the NCAA tournament the Badgers can’t waste their opportunities if they want to set themselves up for possible postseason success.

The play of Ford down the stretch could prove to be an important factor in how far Wisconsin goes in March.

 

 

3-Point Shot Wisconsin vs. Nebraska

What are three things Wisconsin needs to do in order to beat Nebraska on the road?

Nebraska is coming off a tough loss to Maryland on Tuesday night as they lost to the Terrapins 72-70. The loss to Maryland represents the Cornhuskers ninth straight loss and although the Cornhuskers are going through a losing streak as five of the nine losses have come by double digits, which includes losing to Wisconsin by 14 points in the first meeting the Badgers can’t take the Cornhuskers lightly. Considering Wisconsin hasn’t won consecutive conference games in a month when they won against Penn State on the road, which also represents the Badgers last road victory before beating Maryland.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play Nebraska on Saturday.

LAYUP: DISRUPTING NEBRASKA’S BALANCED SCORING

Nebraska has four players averaging double figures over conference play and in the first matchup against Wisconsin, the Cornhuskers put four players in double figures.

If Wisconsin wants to control the game on Saturday they will need to be sound in their defensive assignments in order to disrupt Nebraska’s offense.

Nebraska is led in scoring by Cam Mack as he’s averaging 12.5 points per game over Big Ten play and against Wisconsin earlier in the season he finished with 14 points on 5-for-15 shooting from the field.

Mack has struggled with his shot over the last three games for Nebraska. In those three games, he has only reached double figures once, as he only scored four points against Maryland and was held scoreless against Penn State. In that span, Mack is averaging 5.6 points on a combined 6-for-28 shooting from the field.

D’Mitrik Trice will likely draw the defensive assignment against Mack and Trice has been one of Wisconsin’s most consistent defenders this year. Trice’s defensive effort against Mack will be needed considering even if his shot isn’t falling he still has been able to set up his teammates for offensive success. Mack’s 7.2 assists over conference play lead the league making it important that not only does Trice try and disrupt Mack’s shot attempts but also takes away his passing lanes too.

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Game Day Grades: Wisconsin vs. Ohio State

What grades did Wisconsin earn in their 70-to-57 home victory over Big Ten foe Ohio State?

Offense: A

Wisconsin and Ohio State went back and forth to begin the game as the two teams traded baskets. Waiting for a team to take control of the game. That moment for Wisconsin came following a made three by Ohio State’s Andre Wesson to cut the Badgers lead to 22-20 with 4:37 to go in the game.

The Badgers proceeded by ending the first half on a 16-0 run on 5-for-9 shooting from the field. The Badgers over there scoring run were led by Brevin Pritzl and D’Mitrik Trice as each scored six points both coming off of two made 3-pointers while Aleem Ford made a layup and Nate Reuvers made a pair of free throws to round out the scoring.

In particular, Pritzl was excellent for Wisconsin off the bench as he led Wisconsin in scoring with 19 points, which includes him going 5-for-6 from 3-point range and shot 7-for-13 from the field overall.

Ford was the only other Badger to reach double figures with 10 as he shot 3-for-8 from the field. As six different Badgers scored at least eight points for Wisconsin as Micah Potter who started his first game for the Badgers finished with nine points, Nate Reuvers also scored nine points, Trice and Trevor Anderson each had eight points.

Wisconsin was able to create balanced scoring thanks to the Badgers ability to consistently working the basketball around on the offensive end. Wisconsin was able to register 17 assists on their 24 made field goals. Overall Wisconsin shot 24-for-58 (41.4 percent) from the field and 12-for-32 (37.5 percent) from three.

The Badgers were also able to help their offense by finding ways of taking care of the basketball only turning it over nine times in addition to generating second chance opportunities. Wisconsin finished the game with 12 offensive rebounds and was able to capitalize on their second chances by turning them into 15 points.

Ford led the way with four offensive rebounds as he was a rebound shy of registering the first double-double of his career. Ford was active throughout the game and his hustle on the offensive end helped lead to Wisconsin having an extra attempt on the offensive end. 

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Game Day Grades: Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

What grades did Wisconsin earn in their Big Ten road loss to Minnesota?

Offense: D

Wisconsin started the game 6-for-11 from the field over the first six minutes and 50 seconds helping them keep pace with the hot shooting Minnesota offense. While Minnesota was able to maintain their hot shooting over the first half the Badgers saw their shooting take a massive dip.

Considering over the remaining time in the first half the Badgers shot 5-for-20 from the field as they never could regain an offensive rhythm in the second half either as the Badgers shot 8-for-36 (22.2 percent) from the field.

One of the reasons for Wisconsin’s inconsistencies on offense was the play of Daniel Oturu for Minnesota. Oturu was able to play physical in the post and was able to find ways of consistently altering shots as he finished with four of Minnesota’s five blocks.

With Wisconsin struggling to knock down their 3-point attempts as the Badgers shot 24.1 percent on 7-for-29 shooting from three and not being able to consistently generate post touches due to Oturu’s defense made it difficult for Wisconsin’s offense to get anything established.

Nate Reuvers led Wisconsin in scoring for a second straight game as he finished with 14 points but shot 6-for-18 from the field and 12 of his 14 points came in the first half.

Wisconsin put three other players in double figures as Aleem Ford and Micah Potter each had 11 points, and D’Mitrik Trice finished with 10 points. Minnesota natives Brad Davison and Tyler Wahl struggled offensively as they scored four and two points respectively. But Davison missed all three of his field goal attempts but made all four of his free throw attempts while Wahl went 1-for-3 from the field.

Despite Wisconsin’s shot attempts not falling the Badgers did do a good job of generating second chances as they collected 15 offensive rebounds turning their second chances into 12 points.

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