at Wisconsin

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Last time an opponent scored 85 points against Wisconsin: January 23, 2018 @ Iowa (85-67 loss)
Last time an opponent scored 85 points @ the Kohl Center: November 19, 2013 vs North Dakota (103-85 win)

 

[SgtHulka]

Offense performed well with Tone Bringing the ball up the court. Not saying it's the ideal situation but certainly workable on the offensive end.

IF we can get Fleming back the damage will be more minimal. A three guard rotation of him, Tone and Strong with Emon pitching in would be more doable in Freeman's absence. If both are out, I don't think we can get away with playing the other two without much of a breather. Plus it would get Strong back to a role he just adjusted to nicely.

 

[Loyl2u]

sentiment after the game has largely been that we’d have been better with Freeman and Fleming. The question for me is why we played arguably the best 30 minutes in 3 seasons without them on the floor. Don’t get me wrong, I think they they bring strength rotating as needed to the 1/2 spots, but I continue to question whether we can effectively defend and rebound with 4-3 guards and wonder if the Birds wouldnt be better the majority of the time with Reeves, Strong, Chapman, Lewis and McChesney on the floor W/ Reeves playing with ball out front and running the offense.

Birds need role players and it seems that Lewis and McChesney are figuring out they need to rebound, set screens, defending 3 or 4s effectively. I‘ve wondered what HC saw in McChesney till now, because of his failing 3 pointers and his help defense being a “work in progress”, but even with an absence of strength, his length gives opponents problems, creates blocks and he‘s getting better on off ball d each game/ can challenge guards at the rim.

When role players know their roles, guys like Reeves/Strong can/did take more shots and were more successful overall.

 

[ISU86]

sentiment after the game has largely been that we’d have been better with Freeman and Fleming. The question for me is why we played arguably the best 30 minutes in 3 seasons without them on the floor. Don’t get me wrong, I think they they bring strength rotating as needed to the 1/2 spots, but I continue to question whether we can effectively defend and rebound with 4-3 guards and wonder if the Birds wouldnt be better the majority of the time with Reeves, Strong, Chapman, Lewis and McChesney on the floor W/ Reeves playing with ball out front and running the offense.

Birds need role players and it seems that Lewis and McChesney are figuring out they need to rebound, set screens, defending 3 or 4s effectively. I‘ve wondered what HC saw in McChesney till now, because of his failing 3 pointers and his help defense being a “work in progress”, but even with an absence of strength, his length gives opponents problems, creates blocks and he‘s getting better on off ball d each game/ can challenge guards at the rim.

When role players know their roles, guys like Reeves/Strong can/did take more shots and were more successful overall.

The "best thirty" may very well be a rally the troops moment. Fleming Jr. and Freeman out, rest of team raises their play (the starting quarterback principle). I could very easily envision, and would not be suprised with, a double-digit loss at Valparaiso as the Beacons have three full days to prepare and analyze how to take advantage of our limited guard roster. The flip-side is it may not have been abberation and a necessity nugget has appeared; in addition, Valpo has not played in ten days.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

I love this group of players. It has been a long time since we have seen a group mesh like this. The sky is the limit it they can play like that all year. It is up to them. Now if they ask come back next season... Wow.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

I love this group of players. It has been a long time since we have seen a group mesh like this. The sky is the limit it they can play like that all year. It is up to them. Now if they ask come back next season... Wow.

I actually think if that happens that would be the best case for Reeves and his NBA prospects. He would be the guy on a very good team. The eyes of college basketball would be all over him.

 

[ILLST25]

All of a sudden Johnny Davis is the best player in college basketball…

Kendall Lewis did a HELL of a job on him.

Makes me wonder where Reeves ranks in terms of best players in college basketball. I don’t think we all truly grasp how special he is.

 

[cubird]

After beating Purdue on the road, maybe the Badgers are better than we thought.

 

[Bird Friend]

After beating Purdue on the road, maybe the Badgers are better than we thought.

Don’t know about anyone else, but Wiscy was ranked when we played em, so I thought they must be pretty damn good. Correlating thought, maybe Purdue’s not as good as others seemed to think.

 

[MadBird]

Don’t know about anyone else, but Wiscy was ranked when we played em, so I thought they must be pretty damn good. Correlating thought, maybe Purdue’s not as good as others seemed to think.

Badgers weren't highly regarded coming into the season due to so-so 2020-21 season, loss of 4 of top 5 scorers, counting on freshmen at PG, and unknown impact of new front line players.

What happened?
Johnny Davis was sixth-leading scorer last year, went to USA U-19 team over summer and made a huge leap, and is playing with huge confidence.
Chucky Hepburn comes in at PG as a freshman and is handling it pretty damn well - 30 minutes per game, 7.3 ppg, 29 assists and 17 TO's.
Steven Crowl steps up at 5 spot, averaging 8+ ppg, and Chris Vogt solid as back-up.

The rest of the Badger deal - tough hard nosed defense, taking care of the ball, and hitting FT's - continues, so there you go. They'll lose some games when the shots don't fall or foul trouble, but they'll be around most games.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

tough hard nosed defense, taking care of the ball, and hitting FT's - continues, so there you go. They'll lose some games when the shots don't fall or foul trouble, but they'll be around most games.

The recipe for mid major teams success. The top seed in St. Louis almost always (if not always) uses this formula.