UW looks to maintain proficiency in the paint
MADISON – Wisconsin's offensive strategy against Minnesota wasn't difficult to decipher.
The Badgers were going to dump the ball inside, usually to Micah Potter or Nate Reuvers, as often as possible.
UW's first seven field goal attempts were launched from the paint – the first two by Reuvers and the next five by Potter – all in the first 3 minutes 24 seconds of the game.
“I think in the second half against Maryland we were 2 for 5 in the paint,” Potter said, referring to UW's 70-64 loss to the Terrapins three days earlier. “For Wisconsin basketball that is unacceptable.
“Give Maryland credit but we've got to be better. That was obviously something we emphasized.”
UW went on to score 56.3% of its points in the paint (40 of 71) in the 12point victory over the Gophers. The success UW (9-2, 3-1 Big Ten) enjoyed showed the team's potential and will play a critical role in how UW fares the rest of the season.
The Badgers were to play at Penn State (3-4, 0-3) on Sunday, but that game was postponed due to “health and safety concerns” apparently related to COVID-19 issues in the Nittany Lions program. Wisconsin practiced Saturday and plans to do so again Monday in preparation for a game Thursday agianst Indiana.
Three days after being outscored, 3820, in the paint in the loss to Maryland, UW dominated Minnesota, 40-18.
UW hit 20 of 32 shots in the paint (62.5%) and also drew seven fouls from working the ball inside.
More impressive than those overall numbers was that UW struggled to score early despite getting quality looks but never deviated from the game plan and that five players scored at least two baskets in the paint.
“We didn't get discouraged when it didn't go well,” UW coach Greg Gard said.
Reuvers saw his first two attempts blocked. Potter saw his first shot blocked by center Liam Robbins, who came in leading the Big Ten in blocks at 2.6 per game, but grabbed the rebound and scored.
“I love that Micah Potter stayed with that play,” BTN analyst Robbie Hummel said during the telecast. “Liam Robbins has been fantastic blocking shots.
“Micah Potter, not to be denied, gets the ball back and makes a nice a really nice post move to his right jump hook.”
Potter hit just 3 of 8 shots in the paint in the first half. Reuvers missed all four of his attempts. UW finished 9 of 20, just 45.0%, in the opening half.
Undaunted, UW kept attacking and hit 11 of 12 shots in the paint (91.7%) in the second half.
Potter hit all four of his shots in the paint after halftime and finished 7 of 12 from that area.
Reuvers finished 2 of 6 and converted a three-point play late after powering through Robbins for a left-handed shot.
“Greg Gard wanted to see a more aggressive Nate Reuvers,” Hummel said. “He has certainly seen it in the second half.”
Aleem Ford finished 5 of 5, attacking guards and big men.
“Aleem Ford has done a great job this season posting up,” Hummel said.
Jonathan Davis finished 3 of 3. D'Mitrik Trice finished 2 of 3. Brad Davison hit 1 of 2 shots. Trevor Anderson missed his only attempt but drew two fouls on drives.
“Throughout the game we did a good job of finding guys,” Gard said. “And it wasn't just the two bigs. Aleem Ford got in there. (Davis) got in there. Brad got in there. We did a lot of good things.
“It is a high-percentage area that can be very rewarding if you do it well.”
The success inside led to quality looks from the perimeter and UW hit 40% of its three-point shots (6 of 15). The 15 three-point attempts was UW's season-low mark.
UW did the bulk of its damage in the paint and the relentlessness the players displayed has to become a constant.
“Wisconsin has done a nice job pounding it inside and finding driving lanes with their guards,” Hummel said. “Wisconsin is so good at finding a defender who maybe isn't great at playing post defense and just putting him in the torture chamber.”