Wisconsin Basketball: Who is the second best player on the team?

Nate Reuvers

The case for: Reuvers is the only other viable big on Wisconsin’s roster. When he’s in the game, things change for the Badgers. Reuvers can guard guys a bit bigger than Happ and keep Happ from foul trouble, and also allow Happ to not have to be the only big on the offense. When the Badgers are running their offense at a high level there isn’t one low post big every possession, but being able to constantly move Happ around the floor while Reuvers is also a threat in the post is important.

Of course, we can’t forget Reuvers’ threat from outside too. He is shooting just under 39% on his threes to go along with just under 60% on his twos. Despite missing two late threes against Maryland that would have extended the game, Reuvers hit four threes in the contest. Without his earlier efforts, the team wouldn’t have been in the position it was in the final minutes.

The case against: Reuvers isn’t entirely a matchup-proof player just yet for the Badgers. Sometimes he just can’t find his place in the game and struggles to make an impact. Because he can’t create a shot on his own outside the paint, he sometimes bogs down the Wisconsin offense. In games where he can make an impact, he’s awesome. He just can’t consistently find a role yet.