For the Wisconsin basketball team, a win ahead of the Big Ten Conference Tournament would certainly be a massive morale boost.
Wisconsin basketball has lost their last two games against the Indiana Hoosiers and #13 Illinois Fighting Illini, respectively. The Badgers put up a fight in each game but never quite took control of the game over their opponent, and inevitably lost each game. For Wisconsin, an improvement on their closeout defense is needed in order to win their upcoming game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Wisconsin Basketball Must Force Rutgers To Take Bad Shots, Limit Easy Drives
Earlier this season, Wisconsin basketball suffered perhaps their ugliest loss of the year when they traveled to Piscataway, New Jersey. Wisconsin never held a lead earlier this season when they visited Rutgers in what was one of the harder Badgers games to watch this year.
Wisconsin basketball has now lost three of their last four match-ups against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights as the team seems to have the Badgers number. Last time out, Wisconsin allowed Rutgers to take comfortable shots and move the ball efficiently on offense. If Wisconsin wants to secure a win this time, they will need to pressure the shooters on Rutgers early to prevent long-range buckets.
Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Has Allowed the Highest Big Ten Three-Point Percentage
Unfortunately for Wisconsin basketball, defense has been a major issue all season, and in particular one type of defense has struggled mightily in conference play. Currently, the Wisconsin basketball team has allowed the highest three-point percentage for their opponents in conference play. Opposing teams have been shooting 37.1% from long-range against the Badgers which puts Wisconsin in last place by 1.1%, behind the Michigan Wolverines.
While Wisconsin basketball might not have allowed the most three-pointers made thus far, they are allowing far too many open looks from deep. No matter how well Wisconsin plays on offense, allowing easy triples is not something that is easy to come back from.
Can the Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Team Improve Their Defense Against Rutgers?
Last time these two teams met, Wisconsin not only had their worst offensive showing of their season, but arguably one of their worst defensive showings as well. Wisconsin lost the game, 78-56, as Rutgers made ten three-point shots on 58.8% shooting from deep. Not only did Wisconsin play flat against Rutgers, but they also allowed far too many open looks because the team failed to closeout shots.
Wisconsin has not only had an issue closing out the deep shots, but also allowing players to drive from the top of the key into the paint and fouling them. Wisconsin needs to improve the fluidity of their defense in order to make the stops they truly need each game.
The Badgers have proven they have the ability to do so this season, but they must do the same against a team like Rutgers who thrives off of momentum.
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