Wahl’s all-around game is key to UW
MADISON – Time for a pop quiz. Q: Who is Wisconsin's most efficient three-point shooter over the last four games?
A: Tyler Wahl.
That is not a misprint.
The sophomore forward, who shot 21.4% from three-point range as a freshman, has hit 5 of his last 6 attempts to improve his season mark to 46.7% (7 of 15).
“His confidence is growing,” head coach Greg Gard said. “He spent a lot of time in the gym working on his perimeter game.”
Don't let Wahl's improved three-point shooting obscure the impressive development of his overall game, though, as UW (12-3, 6-2 Big Ten) prepares to host Ohio State (11-4, 5-4) at 3 p.m. Saturday.
“I think what you're seeing is the evolution of a player that got some experience as a freshman, used it in the off-season – albeit a totally different off-season for everybody,” Gard said, “But he used that to build.”
Gard has routinely noted Wahl is the type of player capable of filling the stat sheet without putting up big scoring numbers.
His numbers this season affirm that belief formulated during the recruiting process when Wahl was a standout at Lakeville North High School in Minnesota.
Wahl is averaging only 5.5 points per game, the No. 7 mark on the team. However, he is arguably the team's most versatile defender, is third in rebounds (4.1 per game), tied for second in steals (14), third in blocks (12), is shooting 50.0% overall (26 of 52) and has 23 assists and only 12 turnovers.
"I feel very comfortable,” Wahl said. “I feel confident. It's kind of like my second season running through the offense, knowing the plays and having that connection with my teammates."
BTN analyst Robbie Hummel, a standout forward at Purdue from 2007 through '12, was impressed by Wahl's performance in UW's 68-52 victory over Northwestern on Wednesday.
Wahl hit 2 of 3 three-pointers and 5 of 7 shots overall and finished with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists. He scored inside and outside, and his assists came on a beautiful feed from the high post for a lay-up by Trevor Anderson and a kick-out from the low post for an open three-pointer by D'Mitrik Trice.
“Right now, he is shooting and playing with a high level of confidence,” Hummel said during the telecast.
Wahl's overall game was on display during a stretch of 10-plus minutes in the second half when UW turned a 44-39 lead into a 68-47 lead.
He sparked the run after Jonathan Davis hustled to track down a loose ball on a missed three-pointer by Anderson. Davis passed out to Wahl, who took one dribble and without hesitation buried a threepointer for a 47-39 lead.
The basket was similar to the 2 threepointers Wahl hit in the second overtime of the victory over Indiana on Jan. 7.
With the lead at 49-39, Wahl used a perfect bounce pass from the high post to hit Anderson for a layup.
After Northwestern pulled within 5847, Wahl got the ball low on the left block.
When the defense collapsed, he fired a diagonal pass to Trice on the right wing. Trice hit the three-pointer for a 61-47 lead.
Wahl then posted up Northwestern's Pete Nance, a 6-foot-10 junior forward, for a jump hook and a 65-47 lead.
Wahl's breakout game in Big Ten play last season was UW's 61-57 victory at Ohio State. He missed his lone threepoint attempt but contributed four points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.
He got the ball into the lane and passed out to Nate Reuvers for a jumper to give UW the lead for good, 52-51.
Wahl grabbed his fifth offensive rebound after Trice missed a drive and passed out to Trice, who was fouled and hit two free throws to give UW a 57-54 lead with 26 seconds left.
His weak areas last season were threepoint shooting (21.4%) and free-throw shooting (38.9%). He has improved in both areas this season, though his 57.5% mark from the free throw line must be better.
Gard believes UW foes have yet to see Wahl's best.
"I've seen him do some things in practice that I haven't seen in a game yet," he said. "His ceiling and his future, I don't think you've seen near the potential and the best of Tyler Wahl yet.
"That will come when the time is right.”