After a tough 88-86 overtime loss to Iowa that saw another road double digit lead go away, Wisconsin basketball returns home tomorrow night to take on Maryland. The Terrapins are struggling this season at 14-12 and a 6-9 conference record. A loss would all but knock them out of the NCAA Tournament picture.
Can the Badgers get a needed home win before a week off? Tip time is 8 PM on Peacock. Here is a a preview of tomorrow night’s game.
Take Away Maryland’s Support Cast
Jahmir Young is one of the best point guards in the Big Ten, He averages over 21 points a game and is a lot of what makes Maryland successful on offense.
However, I think it’s the supporting cast Wisconsin basketball needs to take away. In particular, Julian Reese and Donta Scott. The pair combine for over 25 points a game. Reese is a force inside, but is prone to foul trouble. If the Badgers can get him off the court for long periods of time, Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl could have a field day. Scott can light it up from three, but can be inconsistent at times. if the Badgers give him three, he will make them pay.
I bring this up because Purdue’s supporting cast really hurt the Badgers a few weeks ago. While they did a great job on Edey, they made the supporting cast beat them and they did. I think you let Young get his and not let the others help.
Will Wisconsin Basketball Buy In Defensively?
Evan Flood of 247 Sports said it best surrounding the Wisconsin basketball defense Saturday. He essentially said the only way you could lose that game is because you were terrible on defense. He’s not wrong.
Right now, this team has no identity on defense and it’s pretty clear they are not bought in on that side. It sounds harsh, but it’s reality right now.
I will say it looks like some of the players are tired. This team has played a ton of basketball recently and should get some rest with a week off after this game.
Steven Crowl mentioned after the Iowa game he was sick of talking about the defense and knows they have to do something now. Until that actually happens, the criticism will be there and it will be justified. This is way too good of a Wisconsin basketball team to play this poorly on a side of the ball they excelled in last year
Prediction
The good news? Maryland does not wow you on offense. They do shoot 72% from the free throw line, good for second in the Big Ten. However, they only shoot 41% from the field as a team and 28% from three. That is not a good recipe when going on the road with your NCAA Tournament hopes essentially on the line.
There’s no doubt Wisconsin basketball took a step back Saturday defensively and the performance against Ohio State was a fluke. I have no doubt this team is good enough on offense to win any game. They will only go as far as the defense takes them.
Is this team a little pissed off now? Based on what Crowl said Saturday, you would think they are annoyed being questioned about the defense. At some point, it has to come together on that side, right?
Jahmir Young does concern me, but I think Chucky Hepburn is up for the test and will make him work for his baskets. If Wisconsin basketball contains Scott and Reese, there isn’t much left on this Maryland offense.
I think this is a get right game and I don’t see the Terrapins shooting lights out at the Kohl Center. Expect this to be an uglier game on offense, but I don’t see the Badgers dropping this one at home.
Wisconsin 71 Maryland 63
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