Wisconsin Basketball begins their unprecedented March Madness run in Milwaukee against a tough Colgate squad. What do the Badgers need to do to win?
Wisconsin Basketball program has defied expectations all season long. Picked to finish 10th in the Big 10 in the pre-season poll the Badgers were rarely without major expectations heading into the 2021-22 season.
With the pressure off, the Badgers stormed out of the gate in non-conference play winning the Maui invitational which included an upset over then 12th ranked Houston. Wisconsin followed that up by storming through the Big 10 taking a share of the regular-season title. The regular season did end in some disappointment however as the Badgers lost their final home game to Nebraska, fell to Michigan State in the Big 10 tournament.
That said, The Badgers have shocked the college basketball world by earning a 3-seed in the Big Dance and will take on Colgate in the first round, a game being played in the Badger’s home state. But in a tournament that has already seen a few major upsets, what can the Badgers do to avoid the same fate?
Can Johnny Davis Cook?
It’s impossible to ignore the elephant in the room: Johnny Davis is not healthy. He picked up an ankle injury going up for a layup in the Badger’s final regular-season game against Nebraska and did not return. He played against Michigan State in the Big 10 tournament but was clearly not 100%. Eyes will be fixed on how well he starts against Colgate as his play could likely decide the outcome for Wisconsin. If Davis plays at even 75% of his capabilities and hits the tough mid-range shots and drives he usually does, Wisconsin should fare well.
However, it’s not reasonable to expect the same quantity and quality of scoring in such a short time since Davis’ injury. Gard should be preaching to Davis’ supporting cast to step up as their star gets healthy and can be better relied on in games later on.
Limit the 3s
If you were to highlight one crucial element which has brought Colgate to this point in the NCAA Tournament it’s their three-point shooting. The Raiders are second in the nation in three-point percentage boasting a 40.3 percent clip from beyond the arc. Three of their five starters shoot 36% or better and they are efficient shooters.
For the Badgers, Brad Davison will be relied on to keep Colgate moving the ball and limit open opportunities from deep. Davison is a hounding guard who can rattle opposition ball handlers. Colgate will certainly take the shots, the question will be can the Badger guards make the Raider threes tougher and force turnovers in the backcourt.
Bench production
In the Badgers’ loss to Michigan State in the Big 10 Championship quarterfinal the Badger bench combined for just one lone point scored by Christ Vogt. However, in an earlier victory for the Badgers over the then 17th ranked Spartans, Wisconsin’s bench accounted for nine crucial points helping the Badgers to a 12 point win.
Nine points might not seem like much but for a slow tempo offense like the Badgers run and especially in the tournament where every bucket counts the Badger bench will have put points on the board. When the Badger bench isn’t supplementing the starters’ production, especially with Johnny Davis not at 100% they struggle. If they aren’t able to provide that boost, an experienced team like Colgate will take advantage.
If the Badgers have hopes of sneaking by this experienced and gritty Colgate side, and avoiding a stinging upset in Milwaukee they will need players like Vogt, Jordan Davis, Ben Carlson, and others to step up and add another layer of scoring.