Wisconsin Badgers
Big Ten (21-10, 14-6)
When Wisconsin was 4-4 in early December, it looked like the Badgers could be in for a long season. They were coming off three straight losses to Richmond, New Mexico and North Carolina State. But Coach Greg Gard knew there was a long, long way to go and he turned things around. In an extremely difficult and balanced Big Ten, Wisconsin was one of the more consistent teams and ended up with a solid 14-6 conference record and tied atop the standings with Maryland and Michigan State.
Big Wins: 1/3 at Ohio State (61-57), 1/14 Maryland (56-54), 2/1 Michigan State (64-63)
Bad Losses: 11/26 vs New Mexico (50-59), 1/24 at Purdue (51-70), 2/5 at Minnesota (52-70)
Coach: Greg Gard
Why They Can Surprise:
As usual Wisconsin will take care of the basketball and play tough defense. D’Mitrik Trice runs the show and averages 4.2 assists and just 1.7 turnovers per game. Trice also adds 9.8 points and 4.0 rebounds and he is the player that makes this team tick. Like Trice, Brad Davison and Brevin Pritzl are capable outside shooters. Wisconsin will also get plenty of scoring from Nate Reuvers, Akeem Ford and Micah Potter. All six of those players average at least 8.0 points per game. That gives the Badgers a lot of potential offense and it can be difficult for opponents when all five players on the floor can potentially score.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Even though Wisconsin has six proven scorers, they lack a consistent go-to option. Reuvers is the top scorer on the team, but he can certainly disappear for games at a time. That is true of everybody and there will be some big shots to be taken during the NCAA Tournament and the Badgers do not have a clear favorite to take those big shots. The other concern is on the glass. Wisconsin often gets outrebounded, but in close, low scoring affairs that will happen in March, the Badgers need to get every extra possession they can if Wisconsin is going to make a tournament run.
Probable Starters:
D’Mitrik Trice, Junior, Guard, 9.8 ppg, 4.2 apg, 4.0 rpg
Brevin Pritzl, Senior, Guard, 8.0 ppg
Brad Davison, Junior, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 1.9 apg, 4.3 rpg
Akeem Ford, Junior, Forward, 8.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Nate Reuvers, Junior, Forward, 13.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Key Role Players:
Tyler Wahl, Freshman, Forward, 2.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Micah Potter, Junior, Forward, 10.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Trevor Anderson, Junior, Guard, 1.8 ppg, 1.2 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.2 (282nd in nation, 13th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.2 (13, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.5 (243, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.0 (71, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.7 (46, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.2 (77, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.4 (20, 1)
Rebound Margin: -0.6 (207, 12)
Assists Per Game: 12.0 (258, 14)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.0 (4, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Oregon |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Virginia Tech |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Villanova |
| 2017 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Florida |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round 0f 64 win over Pittsburgh |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Xavier |
| 2016 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Notre Dame |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Coastal Carolina |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Oregon |
| 2015 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over North Carolina |
| 2015 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Arizona |
| 2015 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Kentucky |
| 2015 | NCAA | National Final loss to Duke |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over American |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Oregon |
| 2014 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Baylor |
| 2014 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Arizona |
| 2014 | NCAA | National Semifinal loss to Kentucky |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Mississippi |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Montana |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Vanderbilt |
| 2012 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss t Syracuse |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Belmont |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Kansas State |
| 2011 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Butler |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Wofford |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Cornell |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Florida State |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Xavier |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Cal State Fullerton |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Kansas State |
| 2008 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Davidson |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to UNLV |
*all team stats through 3/8
