With the non-conference calendar winding down, Butler and No. 20 Wisconsin will proceed their preparations for league play on Saturday afternoon once they conflict in Indianapolis within the Indy Traditional.
The Badgers (8-3) have already got gotten their ft moist in Massive Ten play, going 0-2. The Badgers fell to unranked Illinois 86-80 on Tuesday, which adopted losses to Michigan and then-No. 5 Marquette.
In opposition to Illinois, Nolan Winter matched his profession excessive in factors (15) and minutes performed (29), however coach Greg Gard needs to see extra from the 7-footer within the two video games earlier than heavy Massive Ten play begins on Jan. 3.
“He is a very good participant, and I believe simply scratching the floor of the place he could be, however I like his willingness to go get within the combine,” Gard mentioned. “I need him aggressive offensively, I need him searching searching for threes.”
Winter averages 9.7 factors per recreation however lacked the boldness to take extra deep pictures, averaging 1.6 makes an attempt per recreation till he took seven 3-pointers in opposition to Illinois. Whereas the sophomore hit solely two, Winter has related on 34.8 % of his makes an attempt this season, up from 30.8 % final season.
Wisconsin is also solidifying its rotation, and Gard needs to seek out the suitable steadiness in enjoying time.
“I’ve acquired to seek out extra minutes for [Jack] Janicki,” he mentioned. “I imply clearly [Carter] Gilmore I believe has given us every part he is acquired and has actually embraced and flourished within the position that he has. So these two guys I might say I do know I can rely on. I believe Xavier’s [Amos’] persevering with to be taught and as we undergo this, you realize, tough stretch.”
The Badgers have misplaced three video games in a row, with video games in opposition to Butler and Detroit Mercy earlier than transitioning to the Massive Ten schedule in earnest.
Butler (7-3) will play its ultimate non-conference recreation earlier than a packed Massive East schedule takes maintain. The Bulldogs will take the brief journey from campus to downtown Indianapolis with a two-game shedding streak.
After falling to then-No. 17 Houston, Butler got here again from a 23-point deficit Tuesday in opposition to North Dakota State, solely to fall 71-68 behind a 27-point efficiency by foe Jacari White that took the Bulldogs out of their rhythm. White went 7-for-9 capturing from past the arc and 10 of 14 total.
“That is one thing that with a veteran crew … simply cannot occur,” coach Thad Matta mentioned about Butler’s 23-point first half.
Making issues worse for Butler is an damage to Augusto Cassia, who began eight of 10 video games this season however went down with a knee damage with 10:19 remaining in Tuesday’s recreation.
Butler hasn’t introduced outcomes of a deliberate MRI.
The Bulldogs are efficient once they management the tempo of the sport and drive to the basket. Matta will depend on Jahmyl Telfort and Pierre Brooks to try this in opposition to the Badgers; they common a mixed 31.8 factors per recreation.
–Discipline Degree Media
