Greg Gard shouldn't be overly surprised that the offense isn't exactly humming right now. He lost both of his top scorers in the offseason. Nick Boyd ran out of eligibility and is now in the NBA G League, while John Blackwell transferred to Duke. Gard then went into the portal and focused on defensive-minded players that have the ability to shoot. So, the offense would certainly lag behind the defense.
That's exactly what is happening; Jack Janicki even said this post-game, "We're a little bit further defensively than offensively, right now at this point." But Greg Gard took it even further as he lamented the fact that the Wisconsin offense isn't where he wants to see it.
"That's probably been the biggest thing," Greg Gard lamented about the offensive struggles. "We practice better offensively than what we have played." And to only beat Delaware by nine in a game Vegas thought would be closer to a 25-point victory isn't impressive.
The Wisconsin bench went 3-16 from the field. If you take out Janicki's numbers, the entire bench of six other players went 0-11. Six players couldn't drop a single field goal. Add in the fact that Wisconsin also had some sloppy moments, clunky possessions, and eight turnovers, and there's real reason to be frustrated with the win.
What are the big things that Gard is noticing about the clunkiness and ineffectiveness of the offense? Well, he starts by saying he doesn't like the way the bigs are providing ball screens. "We've got to raise their level of play," Gard said. "We're getting good position for the ball screen and the roll, and we're getting there, but we're either way up too high, too early, not in a position where we can play on that high-low before we go back to the other side of the floor."
Greg Gard gives his perspective on what isn't working right now with the Wisconsin offense
"So that's a timing thing," Gard continues. "We're going to have to break that down even more, show them on film."
It's not just the ball screens and how ineffective they've been. It's also about finishing through contact for Gard. "We left some points there where we've got to play through contact much better than what we did tonight."
Gard may be lamenting the early woes, and there's frustration with the fact that he's seen this team execute well in practice, but in a game, it's not happening. That will certainly make a coach lose their hair, but he has a ton of optimism for the future of this team too. He knows that the scoring and offensive rhythm are on the way.
"I know last year's team could really score," Gard said. "This year's team will score. I think we'll be better offensively. What's that number going to be? I don't know." But according to Gard, it's coming.
The good news for Gard and his Badgers is that there is still some time to figure things out, and the hand isn't on the hot stove just yet. The Badgers play Fairfield and Coastal Carolina in the next two games. Then it's Seton Hall, who could pose a threat, but it's at home, and finally Northeastern before the demanding Big Ten schedule.
There's time in the non-conference to work out the kinks, but Gard is hoping it happens sooner rather than later.
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