Wisconsin Badgers preview ahead of interesting 1-2 UIC Flames test

The UIC Flames are an interesting opponent for Wisconsin for a variety of reasons this season, and one of those reasons is Jessica Carrothers. The senior Indiana native guard was once a part-time starter for Butler during the 2022-23 season before transferring to NAIA program IU Northwest in a shocking move.

The guard dominated at the NAIA level, winning Player of the Year honors last season while averaging 31.7 points per game. Carrothers is now back at the highest level of women’s collegiate basketball and scoring the basketball is what the UIC Flames’ staff expects the guard to do. The guard has taken 29.6% of the field goal attempts the team has taken through three games.

Forward Gift Uchenna and center Dorja Zaja have combined for an average of four blocks per game this season as scoring in the paint against Wisconsin has not been the easiest task. Uchenna and Zaja are going to be pivotal against the Flames due to the lack of a true perimeter threat on the team.

UIC is an interior heavy, pass friendly team that focuses on ball movement and clean looks at the basket. Outside shots are not part of the game plan with just 36 three-point attempts this season. The Badgers, for example, have made 40 three-point baskets already this season.

As mentioned, the offense is going to primarily go through Carrothers and forward Julia Coleman for the Flames. Coleman, a Texas State transfer, managed to score 20 points against the Hoosiers but needed 20 field goal attempts to do so. Pressure from Zaja and Uchenna down low will likely be too much for the offense of UIC.

Screen, Perimeter Offense Key to Wisconsin Badgers’ Victory Over UIC Flames

The Flames are currently 1-2 with a more back-loaded schedule but difficult challenges to tip-off the season nonetheless. UIC defeated NIU last game, 66-55, but suffered losses to Robert Morris and Indiana before securing a win.

Wisconsin has an intriguing roster this season and plenty of grit with comeback performances against Green Bay and Marquette. However, the Badgers are still not expected to be one of the stronger teams in the Big Ten Conference this season. Indiana has similar levels of talent but held a preseason conference ranking just below the middle of the pack.

Against the Hoosiers, UIC lost 72-56 after allowing guard Shay Ciezki score a whopping 35 points while going 7-for-10 beyond the arc. Ciezski utilized forward Zania Socka-Nguemen to open up space and create open looks at the basket. When the guard did not pull-up from three-point range, the ball was given to the strong forward who does virtually all of her work around the rim.

For the Badgers, defeating the Flames offensively will involve freeing up scoring threats like Destiny Howell and Kyrah Daniels. The duo currently averages a combined 27.8 points per game and 22 three-point shots made through five games.

The Hoosiers did some damage in the paint against the Flames but had virtually nobody contesting the outside shots taken. Opposing teams shot roughly 38% from outside (16-42) in the two losses the Flames have suffered this season. Defending the triple is something that UIC must improve upon, but doing so against Wisconsin could be a difficult ask.