Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing each team’s overall offense for 2020-21 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 22: D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 22: D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin Badgers

2019-20: 66.7 ppg in Big Ten play

Wisconsin Basketball may have four players returning to the starting line-up in; point guard D’Mitrik Trice (9.8 ppg) shooting guard Brad Davison ( 9.9 ppg), small forward Aleem Ford ( 8.6 ppg) and power forward Nate Reuvers (13.1 ppg). Then you add 21 game starter center Micah Potter (10.1 ppg), it looks like nothing but positives for Coach Greg Gard’s rotation.

Despite having 6’11 Reuvers, 6’10 Potter and 6’8 Ford as major contributors on the offensive end, the Badgers averaged more two-point field goals than just one other team in Big Tem play. One of their main offensive sets is the ‘flex offense’ which is traditionally used for teams that do not have an inside presence.

Potter and Reuvers are very difficult to stop when on the court together as the defense cannot usually match up height-wise. At times Ford has the advantage against a small forward in the post as well, which allows Reuvers to set the high screen then be used as a swing pass to hit the cutter off the flex cut.

Seldom will they set in a double post option, so there will always be a ‘big man’ on the perimeter for Trice to penetrate as the defender sinks to help off Reuvers, he has the open look. Potter’s three-point percentage is better so it may be him up there this season.

With Trice being the greatest threat from deep, Davison will have to handle the ball in the backcourt as a passer, as Trice will swing to him and use the screen away action to get off-ball and use off-ball screens to get open at the arc. By replacing Brevin Printz in the starting line-up Davison will have to be able to post or hit a foul-line jumper when he comes off the flex cut.

The Badgers slow and steady offense landed them at 65.8 possessions a game, ninth fewest in Division I. In order for the offense to work as well as possible, Joe Hedstrom as to be playable off the bench. The 7’0 center played in just six games prior to knee surgery, if Hedstrom is not able to contribute, Potter may have to backup Reuvers.

Tyler Wahl should see an increase in his 15 minutes per game at small forward as Trevor Anderson, who subbed at the five-minute mark at shooting guard, was the main ball-handler with Trice on the court. Freshmen Lorne Brown and Jordan Davis should get time in the backcourt as well. The Badgers will be at the top of the Big Ten standings again this year, but no thanks to their offense.

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