Wisconsin Basketball: 3 Keys to a Badgers Victory vs. Rutgers

In what’s been an up and down last month, Wisconsin basketball plays their final home game of the season tonight. The Badgers will take on Rutgers. As far we know, Tyler Wahl will be the only player recognized on Senior Night. Wisconsin will look to avenge a 78-56 beat-down the Scarlet Knights gave them in New Jersey on February 10.

Now losers in seven of their last nine games, now is the time for Wisconsin basketball to get some momentum before the Big Ten Tournament begins next week and the NCAA Tournament a week later. Here are three keys to a victory in the home finale.

Wisconsin Basketball Needs to Start Faster

The Badgers were beat right off the tip against Rutgers in New Jersey on February 10. What was most discouraging was despite the loss a few days prior to Michigan, Wisconsin basketball went to Rutgers straight from An Arbor. They knew what the Jersey Mike’s atmosphere was going into this game. There was no excuse for a slow start like that. You don’t want to say players quit or were not trying, but this was about as close to little to no effort this team has shown all season.

Rutgers is not a good offensive team and I am not expecting an outburst like they had at home. However, Wisconsin basketball needs to set the tone right away and not give the Scarlet Knights a reason to think they can out-shoot this team.

Respect the 3-Point Game From Rutgers

As a team, Rutgers shoots just under 29% from three as a team. In the first meeting, they shot 10-17 from three, good enough for 59%. I don’t think anyone, especially Wisconsin basketball, saw that coming. However, that’s what happens when you consistently turn the ball over and let bad offenses get to the rim with no challenge. That’s exactly what happened in Piscataway.

In particular, Noah Fernandes was 5-5 from three in the first meeting. If he doesn’t have the outburst he did , I think Wisconsin makes that game a lot closer. The Badgers have to be aware of players like Fernandes and respect their range from three.

Give Wisconsin Basketball Fans Reason to Believe

Over the last three or four weeks, Wisconsin basketball fans are getting worried. It’s been alarming how quickly this season has turned around. Entering February 16-4 and talks about being a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament has changed drastically in a small amount of time. The Badgers have no one to blame but themselves for this sharp drop off.

I think if this team wants to go on a run in the NCAA Tournament, they have to start now. You get a bad offensive team who will miss the NCAA Tournament coming into your building on Senior Night. The Badgers have to establish some sort of momentum. It gets harder after tonight. This is a game you need to have.