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.