Coming a brutal 74-70 loss to Indiana Tuesday, Wisconsin basketball is reeling at the end of the regular season. On the other hand, the Badgers only have two home losses this season. Tomorrow, Wisconsin hosts #13 Illinois. It’s a gut check game for Wisconsin basketball. Are they up to the challenge and get some sort of positive momentum? Tip time is noon on BTN. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Can Wisconsin Basketball Buy Into Something on Defense?
While the Wisconsin basketball defense has been awful most of the season, the Illini defense might actually be worse. Illinois has given up at least 80 points in 10 straight games. This includes 97 to Minnesota at home Wednesday. When the Badgers went to Minnesota, they only allowed the Golden Gophers to score 59.
What has worked for Brad Underwood and the Illini is their offense. They are statically one of the most efficient offenses in college basketball. Because of this, they can get away with questionable defense. Players like Terrance Shannon Jr, Marcus Domask, and Coleman Hawkins can each get 30 points a game. This team goes as far as they go.
A “Do You Give A..” Game
It probably should have been done sooner, but I’ll call out this Wisconsin basketball team. In front of your home crowd, a veteran team reeling, and still a ton to play for, do they care? Can they show out and play 40 minutes on BOTH sides of the court? This is a very good Illinois team coming in tomorrow. Can the Badgers play like they want to make a run? Over the last month, it’s fair to say they have not cared on the defensive side of the ball.
On the other hand, the offense has been just fine to win games. It’s a talented offense. What annoys me, like most fans, is soft defense, and at times questionable effort on that side. The players have said for a few weeks now they know they have to be better on defense. The only problem? They are not backing it up on the court. If you can’t get ready to defend for 40 minutes in front of your home crowd tomorrow, you won’t the rest of the season and you have quit on that side. It’s that simple. This needs to be a pissed off team tomorrow for two and a half hours.
Prediction
I think this is a toss up game tomorrow. The Badgers will score enough to win. I don’t think that will be an issue. Do you want to defend for a full 40 minutes? Something just about every Wisconsin basketball team has done well at since Dick Bennett arrived. Why this roster, who lost one rotation player from a year ago and played defense really well will not? I have no idea. Is it a disconnect between Gard and the players? I don’t know.
I will say, the popular opinion has been to throw the heat at Gard. That is fair. He is the one in charge and it falls on him ultimately. However, effort is not his problem and simple lapses are not his problem. That falls solely on the players.
Two types of Wisconsin basketball will be here tomorrow. The one we have seen most of the year who will allow any player to get to the rim. Or, we will see a team that is running around to the ball and challenging every shot. I don’t think there is an in between. This is a veteran team with a lot of experience. This game seems like it will dictate the rest of the season.
I don’t see much defense being played tomorrow. Illinois has the best guard duo in the Big Ten in Terrance Shannon Jr and Marcus Domask. Big man Coleman Hawkins is also a problem.
The good news? There isn’t a true post player on the Illini until Dain Dainja comes in, which isn’t any minutes. Steven Crowl has been beat all season by true post players. It actually seems like a a good matchup.
I’m going to take the Badgers in this one. I don’t feel good about it, but they need to show up and play a full 40 minutes in front of their crowd. If not, this team is lively one and done in Minneapolis and the NCAA Tournament.
Wisconsin 82 Illinois 79
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