Wisconsin Basketball: Analyzing the 2020-21 projected rotation
By Cody Larson
Power Forward
Micah Potter (R-Sr): 20 minutes
Micah Potter joined the Badgers on the hardwood late last season (due to having to sit out because of transferring) and was still rather limited when he played, but he made the most of it. He almost joined college basketballs 50-40-90 club by having 52.8, 45.1, and 86.0 percent shooting splits. Synergy listed him as Wisconsin’s most efficient offensive player last season and also as one of the most efficient players in college basketball (1.071 PPP; 93rd percentile).
Potter is a great roll man to pair with Trice and Anderson plus he’s a dominant threat inside the post. It’s his ability to stretch the floor though that should let him seamlessly slot at the four spot. Usually slotting an additional center in the starting lineup is frowned upon in today’s game, but Potter can do everything the modern four-man is expected to do. He will also give the Badgers a big size advantage against most teams, given his 6-foot-10 248-pound frame.
Ben Carlson (Fr): 10 minutes
Wisconsin will still likely want to shrink their lineup down from time to time. Luckily they bring in Ben Carlson this year, who will be ready to kick off what should be a great Badger career right from the get-go. Carlson is an athletic, slimmer 6-foot-9 combo forward who projects to be yet another great floor stretcher taking the floor for Greg Gard next year.
Carlson’s athleticism should help him in rebounding and put back opportunities, but he also has a pretty tight handle for his size and should be an effective slasher at the college level. On defense, he should find value as a secondary rim protector and as a multi-positional on-ball defender.
Tyler Wahl (So): 10 minutes
Rounding out the rest of the available power forward minutes is the already-discussed Wahl, though he could find himself battling for these minutes if Carlson performs up to his hype. The Badgers will be in good hands either way, as Wahl’s consistent rebounding and post-up ability should be a welcomed option at the second forward spot.