The Wisconsin Badgers' Five Keys to Making Another Big Ten Tournament Run

Survive today to secure a tomorrow—that’s the adage the Wisconsin Badgers will live by beginning Friday afternoon with a tilt against Ohio State.

A win would likely wrap up an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.

In the teams’ only meeting of the season, Wisconsin (19-11, 10-8 Big Ten) prevailed 55-50 despite a Mariana Trench-sized disparity in shooting (UW hit on 36.4 percent of its shots, OSU on 55.3). Second chance opportunities in the form of 14 offensive rebounds and careless ball control by the Buckeyes (20-9, 10-8), resulting in 19 turnovers, proved to be the difference.

The only thing distinctly different about the matchup this time around is that OSU may be without the full services of its big sophomore forward, Dallas Lauderdale.

The 6'8", 255-pound Lauderdale sprained his shoulder versus Northwestern March 8. He is expected to play, but how much he can contribute is yet to be determined.

If it turns out to be little, Wisconsin and senior forwards Joe Krabbenhoft and Marcus Landry will get huge lifts inside and be able to focus their attention on the seven-foot B.J. Mullens.

Evan Turner will get his points (23 last time against the Badgers), so the key for Wisconsin is limiting the production of his teammates.

The Badgers are used to making adjustments and finding a way to succeed. They’ve appeared in the Big Ten Championship game four times in the past five years, including two victories.

Here are some key elements Wisconsin must follow to reach the title bout this year.

Fluid offense

Several times this season the Badgers have gotten into prevent mode, trying to kill the clock while holding a marginal advantage.

It doesn’t work; Wisconsin has lost eight games this season in which it led in the second half.

The purpose of the swing offense is to keep the ball rotating at all times, because in these late-game situations the Badgers lack a go-to guy that can create and finish on his own.

Defensive rebounding

The defense is a given. The rebounding comes and goes.

With a notoriously slow-tempo offense that oftentimes is more parched for points than a traveler crossing the Sahara desert, the Badgers must prevent the opposition from getting second chance opportunities.

It didn’t happen Feb. 22 against the Spartans, who pulled down 11 offensive boards, including seven in the second half. A Wisconsin 12-point lead quickly flipped into an 11-point loss.

Six times the opponent has secured 10 or more fresh possessions courtesy of the glass. Five times the Badgers have lost. 

Free Throws

All part of the Badger gameplan. Simple, really. More attempts from the stripe for Wisconsin mean more point-scoring opportunities and more stoppages in play. Then the other team can’t run the Badgers out of the building. The tempo is at the pace the Badgers prefer: Grandma driving on the road slow. 

Feed the Post

Gone are the days of a Mike Wilkinson, Alando Tucker, or Brian Butch (on good days) when Wisconsin could dump the ball on the block and get an easy two from inside of 10 feet.

Doesn’t mean the Badgers can’t space the floor more and try.

Landry can hold his own down there. Finishing, for him, has been the problem.

Avoid Purdue

This one should be easy. The first time the two teams can meet is in the championship game.

You see, Purdue presents too many matchup problems for the smaller, less athletically inclined Badgers.

Robbie Hummel, who has never lost to UW, is much too quick and long for Landry to guard one-on-one and much too tall for Jason Bohannon or Trevon Hughes.

E’Twaun Moore is dangerous from all parts of the court, and JaJuan Johnson has turned into a solid post player and finisher. 

Too boot, led by Chris Kramer, who is albeit slightly overrated, Purdue is among the best defensive teams in the conference and nationally.