Wisconsin Basketball: 2018-19 keys for Badgers to beat Maryland at home

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 13: Charles Thomas IV #15 of the Wisconsin Badgers attempts a shot in the second half against the Savannah State Tigers at the Kohl Center on December 13, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Consistent minutes from Charles Thomas IV

I honestly can’t believe I’m making a slide for keys to the game and one is for Charles Thomas. The guy has been at Wisconsin for four seasons now and hasn’t averaged more than 10 minutes per game in any season. He actually received his most playing time while he was a freshman. The senior goes six-foot-eight, 253. Thomas actually has a pretty nice frame when you’re watching him play out on the court.

Wisconsin has a very slim front court. It’s a good thing Nate Reuvers has come on because Wisconsin is struggling to find guys on their roster to play in the paint. Ethan Happ needs breaks, he is on the losing end of hack-a-Happ and does get into foul trouble. Khalil Iverson gives up height even though he’s better at playing around the basket than on the wing. Then there’s Aleem Ford who is six-foot-eight, but plays better on the wing.

Thomas has played in 17 out of 21 games this season. He has really stuck it out at Madison despite not seeing playing time. He’s the last man remaining out of he, Andy Van Vliet and Alex Illikainen. You have to give the kid credit there. Gard will reward him with double-digit minutes here and there. But he doesn’t always need to play that many to make an impact. Thomas was a key performer against Nebraska in just six minutes of playing time.

Gard brought Thomas in when Happ and Reuvers picked up a pair of fouls early. He looked lost for a possession on defense, but responded in a big way. Thomas Knocked down a rare three-pointer, made another shot, grabbed three boards and came up with a steal.

He’ll have these games of looking like he’s ready to come on, but then Gard won’t play him or just throw him in for a minute or two to rest Happ and Reuvers. With the size of Maryland, Wisconsin should consider using Thomas just a little more than normal Friday night. It’ll feed his confidence and possibly add some depth in the front court moving into crunch time of the season.

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