Busting Brackets
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Wisconsin Basketball: 3 keys to the game against Xavier

By Austin Walther

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 16: Bucky Badger, the Wisconsin Badgers mascot, performs in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 16, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 16: Bucky Badger, the Wisconsin Badgers mascot, performs in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 16, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin will see a lot of minutes from Ethan Happ and Nate Reuvers.

Wisconsin and Xavier will match up nice. Both teams are heavily favored by the guard play. The thing about the starting lineup though is that Xavier plays three true forwards and two guards. Wisconsin has two guards, two big guys and a wing. Both teams are going to bring three guards off the bench. If the first game is an indicator on playing time, Charlie Thomas will be really the only forward off the bench. Xavier has a big center. Ethan Happ and Nate Reuvers will have their hands full.

Happ and Reuvers both played under 30 minutes last game. I’m guessing they are going to have to be out on the court a little longer than that. Happ recorded 26. Which is a little surprising seeing that he also came up with a triple-double. 10 points, 11 boards and 12 assists. Reuvers played in a solid 20.

What was nice is that Reuvers saw two triples fall against Coppin State. He needed that for his confidence. The sophomore added weight to make him stronger underneath the basket and the next step was to develop an outside shot. He’s beginning to look more and more like Frank Kaminsky each and every day.

Two of the Xavier forwards don’t hit three-pointers. One guy is one-for-eight this season while Ryan Welage is the primary shooter from deep. Happ did attempt a shot in the opener. We’re not sure if that was just a, “we’re up big, chuck a shot,” type thing or if he may actually become a threat as the season progresses.

Either way, Charlie Thomas is not going to match up with a center and Alex Illikainen didn’t even play while half of the freshmen are redshirting. The two starting guys in the front court are going to have to stay out of foul trouble. That’s the biggest issue with Happ. In fact, his two pitfalls, fouls and free throw shooting, looked great the other night. He shot four-for-four form the line and didn’t commit a foul.

Reuvers on the other hand committed three but went two-for-two from the line. 20 minutes with three fouls in a buy game is still quite a bit. I’m sure he knows what’s ahead for him on Tuesday night. There’s some good competition heading the Wisconsin’s way and the big men better be ready for the challenge.

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