Ohio State has been one of the more impressive teams to begin the season as the Buckeyes won their first nine games of the year and have beaten three teams ranked in the top 10 in No. 10 Villanova, No. 7 North Carolina, and No. 6 Kentucky. Although Ohio State has split its last four games, which includes a road loss to Minnesota and in their latest game to No. 22 West Virginia the Badgers will have a tough test of winning in Columbus for the second straight year.
In this Badgers Wire feature, we will look at the three keys or questions for Wisconsin as they prepare to play Ohio State on Friday night.
LAYUP: THE BATTLE IN THE POST
Reuvers through two conference games is averaging 13 points and is making 50 percent (10-of-20) of his field goal attempts. But Reuvers did struggle in Wisconsin’s road loss to Rutgers as he only scored six points on 2-for-8 shooting from the field.
In order for Wisconsin to have a chance of beating Ohio State Reuvers will need to turn in a better performance against the Buckeyes compared to the Scarlett Knights.
Reuvers will be challenged by Kaleb Wesson on the block as he’s blocked 18 shots this year. Reuvers ability to have success around the rim will help open up the rest of Wisconsin’s offense and help create a balanced offense. But that will only begin if the Badgers are able to work the basketball around and creating a post touch.
Reuvers will also be counted on to make sure Wesson can’t have success against him on the offensive end of the floor. Wesson leads the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game and is shooting 44.1 percent from the field.
Making it important that Reuvers finds a way of consistently challenging Wesson’s shots without fouling him. Reuvers over Big Ten play is averaging two blocks per game and on the season has registered 32 total blocks. Reuvers ability to make sure Wesson can’t generate high percentage shots for himself could lead to making sure the Buckeyes are limited to one shot per offensive possession.
MID-RANGE: THE PLAY OF D’MITRIK TRICE
Trice over Wisconsin’s current three-game winning streak has been one of the Badgers more consistent players. Although Trice didn’t score in double figures for a third straight game against Rider his seven assists against the Broncs tied for a season high.
Trice in three of Wisconsin’s last five games has either tied or led the team in assists. Trice’s ability to set up his teammates against Ohio State will be critical for Wisconsin to have a chance of generating an offensive rhythm.
The Buckeyes are holding their opponents to 35.6 percent (269-for-755) shooting from the field but that number over conference play has jumped to 48.3 percent (56-for-116).
Considering how well Ohio State is able to score the basketball the Badgers will need to take advantage of their open shot opportunities. If Wisconsin is able to accomplish that it will begin with Trice taking care of the basketball.
After not committing a turnover against New Mexico Trice has committed 14 turnovers over the Badgers last six games. As turnovers are something Wisconsin can’t afford to have many of against Ohio State as the Buckeyes are forcing their opponents into an average of 13.8 turnovers a game.
3-POINTER: CAN WISCONSIN SLOW DOWN OHIO STATE’S OFFENSE?
Wesson is just one of five players for the Buckeyes to average double figures over conference play. The balanced scoring amongst Ohio State is one of the main reasons why the Buckeyes are averaging 88.5 points per game, which leads the conference.
Reuvers and Micah Potter will have a tough test of making sure Wesson can’t develop a rhythm on offense. But after him, the Badgers will need to be cognizant of Duane Washington Jr. (14 ppg), D.J. Carton (13.5 ppg), Luther Muhammad and Andre Wesson as both players are averaging 10.5 points per game.
Making it important that Wisconsin is active on the defensive side of the floor throughout the game. If the Badgers don’t bring their defensive intensity the Buckeyes will make Wisconsin’s defense pay.
Wisconsin will need to be able to consistently communicate and make sure the Badgers are able to fight through screens in order to avoid the mismatch on defense.
The Badgers can disrupt the Buckeyes rhythm on offense by boxing out and making sure they come up with the rebound. Through two Big Ten games, Ohio State is averaging 10 offensive rebounds and over that stretch, they’re averaging 15 points off of their second chances.
Wisconsin has struggled in this area at times in limiting opponents to second chances but the Badgers will have a chance to show they have improved in this area by making sure the Buckeyes have to work for each offensive board they do get.