Tough challenge awaits Badgers’ defense against Villanova Wildcats

In the neutral site clash, Wisconsin will start the Big Ten hiatus with a game against Villanova for the Milwaukee Hoops Showdown. UW-Milwaukee will play against South Dakota State before Wisconsin tips off against what could be a difficult opponent in the Wildcats.

Villanova is currently 8-2 with a narrow 71-66 loss to BYU and wins over Penn, Pittsburgh, and Temple. The Wildcats recently faced fellow Big Ten member Michigan but lost the game, 89-61.

The Wildcats’ offense is led by guard Bryce Lindsay who is currently averaging 17.2 points per game while shooting 45.8% from three-point range. Lindsay previously spent time with Texas A&M and James Madison before transferring over to Villanova this season. The guard shot 40.8% from three-point range last season with a very large sample size, meaning defending Lindsay outside will be a must.

Alongside Lindsay is fellow guard Acaden Lewis, a capable but inconsistent scoring option who is second on the team with 12.4 points per game. Lewis is a freshman who has started all ten games for the Wildcats’ offense this season, but the guard has been shooting 23.3% from three-point range this season. Lewis is primarily a slasher and inside scorer. When forced to pull-up or take shots from a distance, the accuracy of the guard drops off.

Two other names on the Wildcats roster the Badgers need to watch out for: Duke Brennan and Devin Askew. Brennan is a strong forward who is averaging a double-double (12.1/11.7) with a 20-point game and a 20-rebound game this season. Askew has played for Kentucky, Texas, California, and Long Beach State in his career while establishing himself as a three-point threat at every stop.

One of the biggest struggles for the Badgers this season has involved playing high-level defense consistently. Wisconsin is allowing 75.4 points per game. The defense allowed 33 made three-pointers and 58 personal fouls in three losses this season. In losses, opposing teams are shooting 48.5% from three-point range against the Badgers’ defense.

How can the Wisconsin Badgers Stop Villanova? 

Villanova has lost two games this season and both losses share a few similarities that the Badgers could take notice of.

Lindsay is a capable scorer and the heart of the offense, but as long as Wisconsin can contain the guard, the Wildcats’ offense is not as strong. The guard scored 22 points in the loss to BYU and the Wildcats only had one other double-digit scorer as the team dropped 66 points. In the loss to Michigan, Lindsay was limited to just 19 minutes and three points, and the team scored 61 points.

Wisconsin needs to focus on stopping the inside presence in Brennan as well as complimentary players like Lewis. Brennan is the force in the paint that Lindsay looks for and the guard is not afraid to throw a lob up for his forward. Brennan has recorded 13 points, 21 rebounds, and four turnovers in the losses against BYU and Michigan. Without Brennan, the Wildcats struggle to consistently create good offensive looks in the paint.

Lewis is a successful inside scorer who can take the ball from the perimeter into the paint. If the Badgers’ defense keeps Lewis out of the paint, the success of the guard plummets. Lewis has made just seven of his 30 three-point attempts this season.