Wisconsin Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Badgers
Starting Lineup
Projected starters: Trice, Davidson, Iverson, Reuvers, Happ
Wisconsin basketball is an interesting spot in regards to starting roles heading into this season. Even though the majority of the roster is returning from last season, Coach Gard was never really able to solidify a consistent rotation. In fact, eight different Badgers started at least four games over the course of last season. As we head into this season, though, consistency in the rotation will be vital for a successful Wisconsin season.
Considering star senior Ethan Happ is clearly the best player on the Wisconsin roster this season, the entire rotation should be built around him. An elite 6-foot-10 big man who might be the best post scorer in the entire nation, Happ can fill up the stat sheet regardless of opponent. Over the course of this last season, Happ averaged 17.9 points (.528/.091/.550), 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. All of these stats led the team. However, he is not without fault. As a scorer, Happ does not stretch the floor outside of the paint and therefore his game can be limited without shooters around him. Due to these factors, the rotation needs to built around Happ’s skillset.
In regards to this projected starting lineup, D’Mitrik Trice is returning after missing most of last season due to injury. Before going down for the year, though, Trice had started the first 10 contests of the season while averaging 9.4 points (.380/.300/.706), 2.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 31.5 minutes per game. And while these numbers might not be superb, he will bring experience as a redshirt sophomore that has played 47 total college basketball games already. Also, it is important to remember that he shot 41.5% from distance as a freshman and should be able to space the floor.
Alongside him, sophomore Brad Davison seems like a shoe-in for a starting role in the backcourt. One of the better freshmen in the Big Ten a year ago, the hard-nosed 6-foot-3 guard can do a little bit of everything on the floor. Over the course of last season, Davison impressed many by averaging 12.1 points (.405/.355/.818), 2.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while nursing a shoulder injury. He had surgery after the season and should be completely healthy this year.
In the frontcourt, senior Khalil Iverson looks poised to reprise his starting role from last season. A highly-athletic 6-foot-5 wing, Iverson is a strong rebounder and versatile defender, even if he does not make a major impact offensively. He started all 33 contests for the Badgers last season while posting 8.6 points (.546/.000/.683), 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Although he does a few things on the court that are very beneficial, Iverson’s inability to shoot from distance limits his impact.
Also, due to the idea that both Iverson and Happ struggle to space the floor, Wisconsin’s fifth starter should be someone that can knock down perimeter jumpers. This leaves a few options available but my choice would be rising sophomore Nate Reuvers. A serious breakout candidate, the 6-foot-10 Reuvers is a stretch big who should only improve in his second collegiate season thanks to added weight and strength. As a true freshman last season, he averaged 5.3 points (.382/.255/.833), 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 16.6 minutes per game.