Wisconsin Badgers
Big Ten (23-10, 14-6)
When Wisconsin lost four of five games around the New Year, many thought the Badgers were in store for another down campaign. In 2017-2018, Wisconsin went 15-18. That was the first time they missed the NCAA Tournament since 1998. It is a big deal when the Badgers do not make the tournament and Coach Greg Gard had to quickly turn things around. And he did, reeling off six Big Ten wins in a row after that losing stretch to get Wisconsin back to the tournament.
Big Wins: 11/30 at Iowa (72-66), 1/19 Michigan (64-54), 2/1 Maryland (69-61)
Bad Losses: 12/29 at Western Kentucky (76-83), 1/3 Minnesota (52-59), 2/26 at Indiana (73-75)
Coach: Greg Gard
Why They Can Surprise:
As usual, Wisconsin will take care of the basketball and play solid defense. The Badgers commit just 9.5 turnovers per game and allow 61.4 points per game. No team is going to go up against Wisconsin and have an easy time. Ethan Happ makes things difficult too. The 6-10 senior averages 17.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks. Happ has had some tougher games down the stretch, but even if he is not scoring 20 points, Happ will still make a big impact on both ends of the floor.
Why They Can Disappoint:
But who scores when Happ is having an off game? D’Mitrik Trice, Brad Davison and Nate Reuvers are the only options. Most of Trice’s best games came in 2018 against non-conference opposition. In Big Ten play he has been far less productive. Davison, on the other hand, has played better against the tougher competition and when he is knocking down shots, Wisconsin’s offense is much more dynamic. Reuvers has emerged as a solid frontcourt mate for Reuvers. He can shoot the basketball and block some shots and do the dirty work. Wisconsin will win a game or two with their defense, but it will take some offense from Trice, Davison and Reuvers to get beyond that.
Probable Starters:
D’Mitrik Trice, Sophomore, Guard, 11.7 ppg, 2.6 apg
Brad Davison, Sophomore, Guard, 10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Khalil Iverson, Senior, Guard, 6.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Nate Reuvers, Sophomore, Forward, 7.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg
Ethan Happ, Senior, Forward, 17.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.3 bpg
Key Role Players:
Kobe King, Freshman, Guard, 4.2 ppg
Brevin Prizl, Junior, Guard, 4.9 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.6 (258th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.2 (8, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.6 (106, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.2 (10, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.3 (221, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.4 (42, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 64.4 (333, 13)
Rebound Margin: -0.1 (202, 11)
Assists Per Game: 12.7 (233, 12)
Turnovers Per Game: 9.5 (5, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Virginia Tech |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Villanova |
| 2017 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Florida |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round 0f 64 win over Pittsburgh |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Xavier |
| 2016 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Notre Dame |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Coastal Carolina |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Oregon |
| 2015 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over North Carolina |
| 2015 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Arizona |
| 2015 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Kentucky |
| 2015 | NCAA | National Final loss to Duke |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over American |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Oregon |
| 2014 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Baylor |
| 2014 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Arizona |
| 2014 | NCAA | National Semifinal loss to Kentucky |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Mississippi |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Montana |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Vanderbilt |
| 2012 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss t Syracuse |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Belmont |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Kansas State |
| 2011 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Butler |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Wofford |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Cornell |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Florida State |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Xavier |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Cal State Fullerton |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Kansas State |
| 2008 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Davidson |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to UNLV |
*all team stats through 3/10
