Busting Brackets
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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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COLUMBUS, OHIO – JANUARY 03: Tyler Wahl #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – JANUARY 03: Tyler Wahl #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

3. Tyler Wahl and Micah Potter off the bench

I can go on and on about Micah Potter. He’s brought so much energy to the Badgers since becoming eligible right before the New Year. This is why Wisconsin was trying everything they could to get him on the court and why they were so outraged when his waiver kept being denied. Potter adds help in the frontcourt that they were lacking early on. He can also space the floor which just adds a ton of problems for the opposing defense. That makes all nine guys in the rotation capable of hitting a three.

Another guy Wisconsin thought they were going to be able to stretch the floor with is Tyler Wahl. He’s a freshman that played with Nate Reuvers in high school Wahl is six-foot-seven, 214 and has played in all 17 games this season. He certainly isn’t going to stuff any stat sheets right now, but his basketball IQ is exactly what Wisconsin needs off the bench. Other than Trevor Anderson, he’s the only player in the rotation that’s averaging under six points per game.

There’s just something about Wahl’s energy, ability to hit the occasional three and timely rebounding that you want out on the floor. His free throw shooting could use improvement, but what Wisconsin big hasn’t needed that as a freshman. The big-time question going into this season was frontcourt help. Wisconsin knew they had Nate Reuvers and expected Aleem Ford to expand his game. They also knew Potter and Wahl were going to be there, but how much production would they provide?

I’m not sure if you ever feel comfortable going against Michigan State’s size, but Wahl and Potter have proven thus far that it’s not going to be a dumpster fire. In fact, both of those bench guys match up well with the Spartans bench forwards. Malik Hall and Tyler Wahl are very much alike.

Next. Bubble Watch Bracketology. dark

I’ll take Potter over Thomas Kithier and most bench forwards in the Big Ten right now. Both Wahl and Potter have a chance at really becoming difference-makers Friday night against Michigan State.

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