badgeblitz.com guy jon mcnamara
1. Have teams been able to sink drive and kicks vs. the Badgers' pack-line type defense?
Teams are shooting .387 from the field (86 of 222 shots) against Wisconsin, which isn't a gaudy number. But Wisconsin isn't playing well at that end of the floor. This team is still trying to find its identity and certainly isn't playing to the level/reputation the program has established over the past 15-plus seasons. Senior guard Zak Showalter is the closest thing they have to a defensive stopper at the guard position.
2. Outside of Nigel Hayes and the guard (Bronson Koenig) who else is dangerous offensively?
Sophomore big man Ethan Happ is the third part of Wisconsin's "big 3" on the offensive end. He's got off to a relatively slow start this season at 9.8 points per game, but Happ has the ability to score in bunches. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year a season ago, Happ needs to get more touches in the paint if the Badgers want to accomplish their lofty goals this season. This was evident when the team chucked up 39 3-point attempts during a loss to Creighton. As the season progresses, Happ should be averaging closer to 15 points per game.
3. Tennessee got back in it pressing and scrambling. Is handing the ball a weakness?
I wouldn't say ball handling is a weakness because point guard Bronson Koenig is very sound in that department. But turnovers have been the theme earlyon as the Badgers finished with 18 in 65 possessions against the Volunteers. They also had 16 against Creighton. At this point, it appears to be poor decision making as opposed to ball handling against pressure.
4. From a personal perspective, how is Charlie Thomas doing?
Charlie Thomas definitely improved his body over the off-season and is Wisconsin's most physical presence in the paint. He's working on his confidence, particularly with his outside shot. I think once that comes he has a chance to be a good player in the Big Ten. Thomas is probably still a year away from big-time minutes, though.
5. How shocked were you to see zone?
I wasn't shocked to see it against Tennessee, only because we saw it earlier this season. But when they showed it a game or two ago, it was awfully surprising because it's something you never saw under Bo Ryan. Right now, I think Greg Gard is just trying a number of different looks and combinations to get a feel for this season. This team is going to play man-to-man defense, but I think Gard is more open to the idea of having a few more tools in his belt on that end of the floor.
1. Have teams been able to sink drive and kicks vs. the Badgers' pack-line type defense?
Teams are shooting .387 from the field (86 of 222 shots) against Wisconsin, which isn't a gaudy number. But Wisconsin isn't playing well at that end of the floor. This team is still trying to find its identity and certainly isn't playing to the level/reputation the program has established over the past 15-plus seasons. Senior guard Zak Showalter is the closest thing they have to a defensive stopper at the guard position.
2. Outside of Nigel Hayes and the guard (Bronson Koenig) who else is dangerous offensively?
Sophomore big man Ethan Happ is the third part of Wisconsin's "big 3" on the offensive end. He's got off to a relatively slow start this season at 9.8 points per game, but Happ has the ability to score in bunches. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year a season ago, Happ needs to get more touches in the paint if the Badgers want to accomplish their lofty goals this season. This was evident when the team chucked up 39 3-point attempts during a loss to Creighton. As the season progresses, Happ should be averaging closer to 15 points per game.
3. Tennessee got back in it pressing and scrambling. Is handing the ball a weakness?
I wouldn't say ball handling is a weakness because point guard Bronson Koenig is very sound in that department. But turnovers have been the theme earlyon as the Badgers finished with 18 in 65 possessions against the Volunteers. They also had 16 against Creighton. At this point, it appears to be poor decision making as opposed to ball handling against pressure.
4. From a personal perspective, how is Charlie Thomas doing?
Charlie Thomas definitely improved his body over the off-season and is Wisconsin's most physical presence in the paint. He's working on his confidence, particularly with his outside shot. I think once that comes he has a chance to be a good player in the Big Ten. Thomas is probably still a year away from big-time minutes, though.
5. How shocked were you to see zone?
I wasn't shocked to see it against Tennessee, only because we saw it earlier this season. But when they showed it a game or two ago, it was awfully surprising because it's something you never saw under Bo Ryan. Right now, I think Greg Gard is just trying a number of different looks and combinations to get a feel for this season. This team is going to play man-to-man defense, but I think Gard is more open to the idea of having a few more tools in his belt on that end of the floor.