Badger of Honor
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How Wisconsin Basketball can beat Rutgers

By Joey Lovell

BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 14: Chucky Hepburn #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers shoots the ball during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on January 14, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 14: Chucky Hepburn #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers shoots the ball during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on January 14, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 02: Felix Okpara #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes competes for a rebound against tSteven Crowl #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers and Tyler Wahl #5 during the second half of the game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on February 2, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 65-60. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 02: Felix Okpara #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes competes for a rebound against tSteven Crowl #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers and Tyler Wahl #5 during the second half of the game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on February 2, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 65-60. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin needs to hope that their most recent effort against Michigan wasn’t merely an aberration of a season of ineffective rebounding and foul shooting.

Wisconsin basketball’s season-long struggles with rebounding are well documented. Every pre-game analysis by the TV commentators includes Wisconsin’s dismal 342nd ranking in the nation.

Conversely, Rutger’s, on the season, has been averaging 37.8 rebounds per game, which is ranked 43rd in the country.

Rutgers’ main inside threat is junior center 6’11” center Clifford Omoruyi. He nearly averages a double-double per game, scoring 13.5 points per game and bringing in 9.8 rebounds per contest.

In contrast, Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl is averaging 11.8 points and 7.2 boards per game.

It has been a real joy watching “Big Steve’s” growth in the area of the interior offense. Moves like this one are regular weapons in Crowl’s arsenal. The back end of the season will show what Crowl is really made of, squaring off against the “Dancing Queen” Dickinson twice, Omoruyi, and then Purdue’s Zach Eddy.

So far Crowl has answered the bell.

Wisconsin’s foul shooting woes have also been extensively acknowledged. So when the team went 14-18 from the foul line against Michigan, it looks impressive.

However, if you take Essegian’s nine out of ten from the total, Wisconsin’s team foul shooting goes to five of eight, which is only 62.5%

The solution to that problem is simple. Make sure that Connor, and Chucky for that matter, continue to drive to the basket.

Make sure your best foul shooters are taking the majority of the foul shots.

Fundamental basketball is sometimes very logical basketball.

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