UW has multiple threats who can get to the rim

MADISON – If Wisconsin coach Greg Gard gets his way this season, he will see his players marching to the free-throw line night after night.

“We do need to get to the freethrow line,” Gard said after UW closed its exhibition schedule with an 85-56 victory over UW-Stout on Sunday at the Kohl Center. “Our better teams have always gotten there a lot.

“I think we have multiple guys who can get there. We have multiple guys who can post and a lot of guys who embrace the physical contact that comes with it.”

UW hit 18 of 26 free-throw attempts (69.2%) Sunday, with eight players recording at least one attempt.

Freshman Kobe King hit 4 of 6 freethrow attempts and finished with 17 points. Freshman Brad Davison, starting in place of D’Mitrik Trice (ankle), hit 4 of 5 on his way to 13 points.

UW received a scare in the with about 111⁄2 minutes remaining in the game when redshirt sophomore guard Brevin Pritzl landed awkwardly on his left foot and came off the floor immediately.

Pritzl, who missed most of his first season after breaking the foot before practice started, was examined away from the court by trainer Henry PerezGuerra. Pritzl returned to the bench but not to the lineup, and Gard said he wasn't sure yet if Pritzl will miss any time.

UW finished 13th in the Big Ten in free-throw shooting last season at 64.4%. This team appears to have more players capable of shooting a higher percentage.

“That is something Coach Gard and the rest of the coaching staff stresses every practice, every timeout,” Davison said.

“Just get it inside. Get to the freethrow line.”