Trice looks to bounce back WISCONSIN VS. MARYLAND
MADISON – D'Mitrik Trice's role in Wisconsin's victory over Penn State was atypical and, to be blunt, uncomfortable for the redshirt junior.
“It was definitely a humbling and eye-opening experience for me, of what I need to be,” Trice said after practice Monday. “It was different. I think that is the least amount of minutes I've played in a very long time.”
Trice played a season-low 13 minutes 13 seconds in UW's 58-49 victory over then No. 20 Penn State on Saturday.
That marked his shortest stint since his freshman season in 2016-17, when he played eight minutes in UW's loss to Florida in the NCAA Tournament. To be fair, fellow starters Nate Reuvers and Aleem Ford spent the final 6:26 and 3:23 of the Penn State game, respectively, on the bench.
Trice was scoreless, with one assist and one turnover, in 8:16 of action in the first half. He played only 4:57 in the second half and finished with zero points, on 0-for-2 shooting, one assist and one turnover.
Trice took a seat on the bench with 10:43 left in the game and UW leading by four points. He didn't return until 27 seconds remained, with UW leading by nine points.
“He knows he needs to play better,” UW assistant Dean Oliver said. “We need him to play better. He knows that.”
Gard put the ball in the hands of Brad Davison (34:28) and Trevor Anderson (22:36) against the Nittany Lions because he felt they were performing more efficiently.
“Knowing my role…if that is what the coaches see or need at that moment,” Trice said, “I'm going to be the guy to continue to encourage from the sidelines and be a leader from wherever I can be.”
Trice was expected to be back in the starting lineup when UW (10-6, 3-2 Big Ten) hosted No. 17 Maryland (13-3, 3-2) on Tuesday night. The game ended too late for this edition.
Despite the limited action at Penn
State, entering Tuesday Trice was fourth on the team in scoring at 9.4 points per game and led the team in assists with 51. His defense also was expected to be key against Maryland point guard Anthony Cowan, who was averaging 16.7 points, 4.1 assists and 6.7 freethrow
Tuesday night’s men’s basketball game between the Badgers and the Terrapins at the Kohl Center ended too late for this edition. For complete coverage go to attempts per game.
“Cowan is so dangerous, especially in transition,” Oliver said. “And the amount of ball screens they set for him and the amount of opportunities he gets with the ball in his hands, he is hard to stop. He is a high-volume guy.
“You've almost got to live with some of the shots he is going to get off and some of the plays he is going to make. Just try to make it difficult for him all night long.”
Trice met with assistant Alando Tucker on Monday to discuss what he has to do to be more effective against Maryland and other foes.
“I've just got to attack,” Trice said, “consistently get downhill and find guys and make other guys better.”
Gard was asked how he anticipated Trice would respond to sitting for most of the game at Penn State.
“He will respond fine, because I watched his body language on film,” Gard said. “Every time something good was happening he was up hollering, waving his towel. Just like Nate Reuvers. He was out because Micah Potter was taking the minutes. Nate was in foul trouble and Micah was playing well.
“These guys support each other. They're a connected group that wants their teammates to be successful, which helps their team be successful.
“Fortunately, we don't have any of that petty jealousy that can sometimes infiltrate teams. They just want to make sure that their team is successful.
“As long as it is somebody that has 'Wisconsin' on the front of their jersey, that is all we really care.”