Badgers need freshman Trice to rediscover his composure
Guard erratic against Villanova
NEW YORK - Rarely this season has Wisconsin’s D’Mitrik Trice
like a freshman. UW’s staff has routinely cited the poise and savvy of Trice, who has been the backup point guard all season and has played in all 36 games.
Yet Trice is coming off perhaps his most erratic performance in UW’s victory over top-seeded Villanova last week. His play could be critical when eighth-seeded UW (27-9) faces fourth-seeded Florida (26-8) in the East Regional semifinals at approximately 8:59 p.m. (Central) Friday at Madison Square Garden.
Trice contributed six points, three rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes in UW’s 84-74 victory over Virginia Tech in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
He appeared tentative against Villanova, however, and played only 14 minutes despite the fact senior Bronson Koenig was limited to 27 minutes because of foul trouble. Trice had three fouls and two turnovers and missed both of his shots.
“That’s a pretty big stage for a freshman to walk onto and then have some foul trouble with your senior and have to step into that,” UW coach Greg Gard said. “He got through that experience and hopefully he will be better because of it.”
Koenig doesn’t see the need to give Trice a pep talk before tipoff Friday.
“I’ve always had a lot of confidence in D’Mitrik,” Koenig said. “I don’t need to say anything to him. From his background … I know he’ll be perfectly all right.”
Trice entered the Villanova game with 15 minutes 29 seconds left in first half and picked up two fouls in 40 seconds.
“That got me into a slump and one thing built into another,” Trice said. “I talked to my dad to get his take. He said I’ll be fine. He knew Bronson and Coach Gard talked highly of me on media day (Monday).
“I was more happy for us as a team. Later on that night I started thinking about what I needed to do better for the next game, how to prepare better.”
Foul problems: UW entered the NCAA Tournament averaging 15.7 fouls per game but has averaged 20.5 in its two tournament games.
Zak Showalter fouled out of the Virginia Tech game. Ethan Happ was assessed four fouls in each game and was limited to 23 minutes against Villanova. Koenig picked up his fourth foul with 13:41 left against Villanova and didn’t return until 5:43 remained.
“I think they’ve tightened it a little bit in the NCAA Tournament from what I’ve seen,” Gard said of the officiating. “I think you see a few more things called that maybe down the course of the regular season in league play they let people go after it a little more consistently or be a little more physical.”
Gard hasn’t told his players to back off defensively.
“Don’t use your hands,” he said. “Don’t reach and grab. Play with your feet. I want to make sure we keep our aggressiveness.”
Bad memories: Koenig would like to forget his performance the last time UW played in Madison Square Garden.
That came Jan. 28, when UW outlasted Rutgers in overtime, 61-54.
Koenig, who was battling a painful left calf injury at the time, hit just 2 of 10 three-point attempts and 2 of 13 shots overall.
“I thought it was just a little bit of nerves or something,” said Koenig, who has made 11 of 23 three-point attempts and 16 of 32 shots overall in two tournament games. “That Rutgers game was definitely like … you just forget how to shoot. I’m looking to redeem myself.”
Overtime: UW’s fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance is tied for the No. 1 mark among all Big Ten teams. Only Indiana (1991-’94), Michigan State (1998-2001 and 2012’15) and Ohio State (2010’13) have achieved the feat . ...
Gard is the third coach in the last 20 seasons to reach the Sweet 16 in each of his first two seasons as head coach. The others are Steve Lavin in 1997 and ’98 with UCLA and Mark Few in 2000 and ’01 with Gonzaga.