After their abysmal home-opening loss to Western Illinois, Wisconsin (2-1) has bounced back nicely with two straight blowout wins and looks to extend its winning streak this Friday in the 2K Hoops Classic Tournament against the Georgetown Hoyas (0-2) at Madison Square Garden.
While both teams haven’t showcased their true potential yet, the matchup will give fans a better gauge of this year’s squads.
Last year, the two teams met at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas, and fought hard to the very last second of the game, where ultimately Wisconsin pulled away with a 68-65 victory.
During that game, Georgetown guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera became a nightmare for the Badgers to defend, as he scored 29 points and nailed five 3-pointers.
Unfortunately for Wisconsin, Smith-Rivera remains on this year’s Hoya squad and with a lackluster stop-penetration defense, the Badgers could have a difficult time defending the prolific guard.
The electric guard has averaged 14.5 points and three 3-pointers per game this season, but won’t be the only offensive force the Hoyas present to the the Badgers.
Center Bradley Hayes leads Georgetown with 17.5 points and 10 rebounds per game. Listed at 7 feet and weighing 275 pounds, he will create a mismatch problem in the UW frontcourt, as Wisconsin doesn’t play anyone taller than 6 feet 9 inches and weighing more than 245 pounds.
Despite the offensive firepower the Hoyas present, Wisconsin had worked diligently to improve its defense.
After allowing Western Illinois to shoot over 54 percent from the field and 77 percent from 3-point range, the Badgers have limited their last two opponents to shoot only 43.5 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from beyond the arc.
“Defense is one of those key things that it’s going to help you go farther in the tournament and as the season goes along,” redshirt freshman forward Ethan Happ said.
Aside from playing a stout defense, Wisconsin will need to continue to rely on its balanced offensive attack as it faces a porous Georgetown defense that has let up 78.5 points per game.
On the offensive side of the ball, junior guard Bronson Koenig will lead the Badgers, as he has averaged 19 points with three 3-pointers per game.
With his impressive shooting abilities and with a balanced supporting offensive cast in the starting lineup who all scored in double figures against North Dakota Tuesday, Wisconsin has the firepower to take full advantage of a sloppy Georgetown defense.
“Offensively we’re starting to hit some shots and guys are starting to be more comfortable on the court with each other,” junior guard Zak Showalter said.
While Wisconsin looks to be back in its top-25 form, the tournament will be a true test on whether or not the Badgers can hang with some of the nation’s elite programs.
With a win against the Hoyas, the Badgers would face the winner of a VCU/Duke matchup in the championship game Sunday.
