Wisconsin Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Badgers
Projected Starting Lineup
D’Mitrik Trice | G | 6-foot-0 | 184 lbs | Junior
D’Mitrik Trice is returning to hold down his starting point guard spot. Although more of a scorer than a creator, he is a strong shooter from beyond the arc and could emerge as Wisconsin’s top scoring option this year. He is fresh off averaging 11.6 points per game last season and will have to carry more of the offensive load this year. There should be no questions about his 3-point shooting but Trice is a career 37.8% finisher inside the arc and that will need to improve. He is also not a tremendous defender; his impact will come on the offensive end of the floor.
Brad Davison | G | 6-foot-4 | 206 lbs | Junior
Trice’s running mate in the backcourt will once again be Brad Davison. The hard-nosed rising junior is well-known for his toughness on the court. He battles on the defensive end and is an underrated offensive weapon. Davison boasts plenty of strength and uses this to create space on drives and jump-shots. He is a better finisher than Trice but does not shoot the three as effectively. They pair together nicely on the court and that chemistry should continue this year. Davison averaged 10.5 points per game last season and is Wisconsin’s second-best returning scorer.
Kobe King | G | 6-foot-4 | 203 lbs | Sophomore
Kobe King is yet to truly reach his potential on the court. Across 44 total games with the Badgers, the 6-foot-4 guard has only averaged 4.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Although regarded as a strong shot-maker, he needs to showcase that skill with more consistency. In the absence of Happ, the Badgers will need a few players to step up offensively. King has the potential to be that guy. He can score at all three levels and has no trouble creating for himself. King could be a major breakout candidate this season and that is exactly what Wisconsin will need out of him.
Aleem Ford | F | 6-foot-8 | 217 lbs | Junior
After recovering from an offseason injury, Aleem Ford never seemed to return to his freshman form last season. The talented 6-foot-8 stretch forward struggled from beyond the arc and looked a step slow on both ends of the floor. It was an all-around disappointing campaign for Ford but he could be poised for a much stronger 2019-20 season. He should be 100% healthy this time around and will hopefully live up the hype he received prior to his offseason injury last season. Ford will need to make strides defensively as well as he will mostly be tasked with covering power forwards this year.
Nate Reuvers | F | 6-foot-11 | 235 lbs | Junior
Nate Reuvers is on the verge of a major breakout season. The 6-foot-11 junior was tremendous last year while playing alongside Happ and will hopefully emerge as the frontcourt star for the Badgers in 2019-20. In addition to being one of the best shot-blockers in the Big Ten, Reuvers is a stretch big on the offensive end with major potential. Trice and Davison will likely lead this potentially perimeter-oriented team in scoring but Reuvers might not be that far behind them. Wisconsin’s offense will likely run through Reuvers on a high rate of possessions and he will need to come through. His defense will also need to stay at his elite level.