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Wisconsin Basketball: 2019-20 keys to beat Michigan State Spartans on the road

By Austin Walther

COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 03: The Wisconsin Badgers bench celebrates after a made three pointer during the second half at Value City Arena on January 03, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 03: The Wisconsin Badgers bench celebrates after a made three pointer during the second half at Value City Arena on January 03, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 25: Blake Francis #1 of the Richmond Spiders looks to pass while guarded by D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 25: Blake Francis #1 of the Richmond Spiders looks to pass while guarded by D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

1. Pressure Cassius Winston

It’s certainly easier said than done. Just ask All-Big Ten guard Zavier Simpson. Michigan thought they had the perfect matchup and that ended up being the game that we were all reminded why Winston is one of the best in the country. He can beat you off the dribble and pull up from the top of the key. We’re all quick into saying he doesn’t have help yet he’s averaging over six assists per game.

But now let’s ask Purdue what they did to beat Michigan State. Matt Painter and the Boilermakers did what they have always done. Force Cassius Winston to do too much. The biggest knock on Winston since he’s been the full-time point guard at Michigan State is his turnovers. Purdue forced him to turn the ball over nine times on Sunday. I don’t ever see a scenario where Michigan State wins if Winston turns the ball over nine times.

Wisconsin has some great defensive guards. Brad Davison is a really nice defender, but everyone labels him as the flopper. He likes to draw contact and take the gamble for an offensive foul. It would be ideal for him to start off on Winston, but since Michigan State plays with four guys six-foot-six or taller, Davison might be asked to guard one of them.

Kobe King is the next best backcourt defender, but again, Michigan State has size and King usually goes up against the extra forward since Wisconsin starts three guards. D’Mitrik Trice really hasn’t hurt the Badgers defensively this season. His offense isn’t where we all thought it was going to be, but he’s second on the team in steals and has only committed 19 fouls.

Wisconsin could keep a constant rotation on Winston. Brevin Pritzl is a very underrated defender. He still has the label of just a three-point shooter, but he’s laying it all on the line in his final season. Pritzl adds a great spark off the bench on both ends for the Badgers. If the deep backcourt of Wisconsin can keep the pressure on Winston while Nate Reuvers and Micah Potter stays on Tillman, that’ll force Michigan State to use their other guys and there’s a possibility their shots won’t fall.

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