Wisconsin Basketball: Keys for Badgers to beat Oregon in Round of 64

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers dribbles the ball while being guarded by Thomas Kithier #15 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 15: Aleem Ford #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers attempts a shot while being guarded by Tanner Borchardt #20 of the Nebraska Huskers in the first half during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Aleem Ford and Brevin Pritzl have to hit shots.

You could also add on to that statement and Brevin Pritzl and Aleem Ford have to get consistent minutes. I don’t know if Pritzl was in Greg Gard’s doghouse, not feeling good or what, but he only played seven minutes in the Big Ten semi-finals against Michigan State. He wasn’t even in there long enough to attempt a triple. Ford went 0-for-2 and the Badgers lost by 12.

Kobe King did shoot a nice 50% from the floor, including one three-pointer, but the actual three-point specialists have to be knocking down shots. And the only way they can do that is if they get the minutes. Pritzl did go 0-for-3 from downtown in the win over Nebraska the day before on 21 minutes, but shooters have to shoot to get out of slumps. Ford, on the other hand, went 2-for-5 and Wisconsin won.

Wisconsin has only lost one game this year when Ford makes more than one 3-pointer in a game. That was an overtime thriller to in-state rival Marquette. He’s only averaging just over three points per game and shooting under 30% from long distance. But when he’s knocking down shots, the Badgers have something dangerous to work with.

Chances are, Oregon is going to start Francis Okoro to have four guys at 6-foot-9 in the starting lineup. The Ducks go a solid three off the bench, but with Miles Norris healthy, they will throw in a fourth. Victor Bailey Jr. leads the way with 47 3-pointers off the bench. Three guys have made 10 or more this season. Besides Bailey though, no one is shooting over 30%.

Pritzl is third on the team with 32 3-pointers and is shooting 42% from there. Ford has made 23. King has put in 15, but that really isn’t King’s strong point. So that means Pritzl and Ford are going to have to come out shooting as they did during the six-game winning streak in the Big Ten. Oregon has shooters coming off the bench and the two guys who can let it fly for the Badgers have to be locked and loaded Friday.

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