Wisconsin Basketball: A Balanced Western Kentucky Team

Wisconsin basketball hosts the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Wednesday evening at the Kohl Center

After a couple tough losses, Wisconsin basketball gets back in action against Western Kentucky.  On Saturday, the Badgers got hammered 82-63 by in-state rival Marquette.

The Golden Eagles were led by a pair of the best scorers in the Big East Conference.  Yet, Wisconsin basketball could do nothing about it as Marquette shot the Badgers out of its own building.

But the visiting Hilltoppers will pose a distinct threat based on its balanced offensive production.  So far this season, Western Kentucky has six different players averaging double figures.

Wisconsin Badgers Basketball

On a related note, the Hilltoppers also are averaging 28.7 made field goals per game and 14.1 assists per game.  That healthy field goal-assist ratio indicates a team that passes the ball well and isn’t reduced to individual solo runs to get buckets.

Among those six players averaging double digit points per game, they average a low of 23.9 minutes per game to a high of 35.9 minutes per contest.  In addition, six different players have attempted at least 66 field goals in their 11 games.

As a way of comparison, Wisconsin has just two guys (Ethan Happ and Brad Davison) averaging double digit points.  The Badgers minutes per game numbers are now thrown off because D’Mitrik Trice is injured for a few weeks and Kobe King is lost for the year.

So for Wednesday, this Western Kentucky balance means that foul trouble, tempo, and a cold night from one guy or another isn’t fatal.  Wisconsin can’t prepare to try and hold down one scorer because another will always be available.

Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers are doing most of its damage inside the arc.  Just 26.7 percent of Western Kentucky field goal attempts come from three.  Wisconsin’s number is 36.8 percent but again that may fall without Trice or King.

Next: Badger Basketball Kobe King Out for Season

Western Kentucky is a dangerous team.  They are 6-3 on the season and acquitted themselves well in the Battle for Atlantis Tournament in November.  The Hilltoppers lost by eight to Villanova before beating Purdue (77-73) and SMU (63-61).

Given current form, you’d have to favor the Western Kentucky in Madison.  Lets hope Wisconsin answers with a balanced team performance of its own.