Wisconsin Basketball Will Need to Rely Upon Talented Big Man Steven Crowl Against 12-Seed JMU

The Wisconsin basketball team will enter the NCAA Tournament against a rather challenging foe as they meet the James Madison Dukes in Brooklyn. The Dukes hold an impressive 31-3 record that contains wins against a #4-ranked Michigan State squad, as well as fellow NCAA Tournament teams Akron and Howard. Howard was unable to secure one of the final ten-seeds in the tournament, and also struggled mightily against the Dukes.

There is certainly no mistake in saying that Wisconsin basketball received one of the more difficult draws out of the rest of the tournament field. The Dukes averaged 84.4 points per game this season while shooting 48% from the floor and 36.5% from three-point range.

Wisconsin has played their best basketball over the past two months during the last span of a week. Wisconsin was able to take down Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland, and put up a tough fight against Illinois.

Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Must Rely Upon Big Man Steven Crowl Against the Dukes 

The Dukes have only suffered three losses this season, but the three losses they have all share similarities. James Madison lost both of their games against Appalachian State, who won the Sun Belt Conference regular season title, and one game against Southern Mississippi. Appalachian State was able to defeat the Dukes both times behind big performances from big men Justin Abson and TreVon Spillers.

Each big man dominated the glass and shut down the Dukes in the paint, which caused plenty of errant jump shots. The Dukes lack size around the board, and rely heavily upon their forward TJ Bickerstaff, who comes in at 6-feet-9-inches. Bickerstaff is not just the tallest player on the Dukes, but also the best rebounder by a significant margin which is why the teams that defeated the Dukes targeted the big man.

Bickerstaff has recorded 35-points and 35 rebounds in the three losses the Dukes have suffered this season. The rebounding ability of the forward is too good to stop entirely, but limiting his presence on the boards and preventing him from making it to the foul line will be crucial.

For Wisconsin basketball, 7-foot center Steven Crowl will be crucial for the Badgers as he must slow down Bickerstaff and control the boards. James Madison has other talented rebounders, but none with the size, strength, and positioning of Bickerstaff. Crowl will need to do his best to prevent Bickerstaff from controlling the game for the Dukes.

Can the Wisconsin Badgers Defeat the James Madison Dukes Handily? 

For Wisconsin basketball, the Dukes will certainly not be an easy win due to their record this season and style of play. The Dukes enjoy pushing the pace and playing fast basketball, including trying to attack the Badgers when they have numbers in their favor. Wisconsin will need to slow down the pace of play and clean up the boards to prevent James Madison from getting out to a lofty lead.