The Wisconsin basketball team is set to face the #24 Virginia Cavaliers November 20th to begin the Fort Myers Tip-Off Tournament.
Wisconsin has already suffered two tough losses to the Providence Friars and the Tennessee Volunteers. Now, the Badgers must play against another tough opponent as the Cavaliers are off to a 4-0 start to the year. Wisconsin basketball will have to play their best basketball to play advance to the finals of the four-team tournament.
Wisconsin Basketball Faces #24 Virginia in the Opening Round of the Fort Myers Tip-Off
Wisconsin is set to face-off against the #24 Virginia Cavaliers to open up their tournament run. If Wisconsin wins, they will face the winner of West Virginia versus SMU for the tournament title. If Wisconsin loses, they will play the loser of the same game for the third-place trophy.
The Cavaliers have proven themselves to have a stout defense once again this season as they continue to shut-down opposing offenses. Virginia currently averages 11 steals and 6.8 blocks per game against their opponents, which puts them among the top producing defenses in the country. Through four games this year, the Cavaliers allow an average of 51 points per game.
In order for the Wisconsin basketball team to walk away with a win against Virginia, they will need to focus on two main aspects of their play.
Key #1: Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Must Play Efficiently
The first key to victory for the Wisconsin basketball team will involve their shooting against a talented Virginia defense. There is no doubt that the Cavaliers do not allow easy buckets, and opposing teams truly need to work around their defense to get open shots. Wisconsin has struggled early on this season with their finishing at the rim and also with their shot selection.
In order to defeat Virginia, the Badgers will need to sink the shots that they are able to get. Wisconsin will have to rely on their scorers to make buckets if they want to stay in the game against Virginia.
The Florida Gators nearly defeated Virginia this season, losing by just three points. The Gators were able to do so by controlling the tempo, lining up quality shots, and moving the ball around to force Virginia to change their defense. Wisconsin basketball will need to do the same things on offense to beat the Cavaliers.
Key #2: The Bench Needs to Come Alive Against Virginia’s Defense
Wisconsin basketball has been strong off the bench thus far in the season when they have won. During their two losses, the bench was not making much of an impact which ultimately affected the team. Wisconsin will need players like John Blackwell and Kamari McGee to continue to step-up on both sides of the ball for the team.
Blackwell has shown his ability on both sides of the ball thus far and continues to impress the staff with his consistent play. McGee, on the other hand, has been getting a larger role due to the lingering back injury Connor Essegian suffered against Tennessee. McGee will be a crucial part of the offense off the bench for Wisconsin basketball moving forward.
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