Big Ten Basketball: Predicting teams at the bottom for 2019-20 season

10. Wisconsin

2018-2019 conference record: 14-6

Key players lost: Ethan Happ, Khalil Iverson

Key players returning: D’mitrik Trice, Brad Davison, Nate Reuvers, Brevin Pritzl, Kobe King, Aleem Ford

Key newcomers: Micah Potter

I’m probably a lot lower on the Badgers than most people. They do return a handful of rotation players, but losing Ethan Happ is a big deal.

Happ led the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals and for large chunks of the season seemed like their only viable option offensively. Anyone who watched the Badgers can attest that Wisconsin was atrocious at times without Happ.

They are going to need significant improvement from the returning players, specifically backcourt members D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison. Trice was one of the better three-point shooters but got a lot of looks off of Happ. Without the constant double teams, Trice will need to create on his own. Meanwhile, Davison’s production plateaued. He’s going to need to play more like the Davison that averaged 12 points per game his first year.

The biggest variable will be the improvement of Nate Reuvers. The 6’11 forward averaged 7.9 points per game playing next to Happ, but showed the ability to extend the defense with a three-point shot while scoring inside. He will also need to add strength as the two leading rebounders for the Badgers have moved on.

Wisconsin will always be tough to play because of their tough homecourt and pace of play. But this year’s team is one of the least talented in memory. Without elite athleticism, Wisconsin will struggle to score in the half-court and will be undersized which will hurt on both ends. Their floor is solid enough where I doubt they slip to the bottom but the upside is very limited.