Virginia’s defense always gets the headlines, and with good reason.
It’s been the foundation of head coach Tony Bennett’s success in Charlottesville, but sometimes, there’s a perfect match-up against that vaunted defense.
Wisconsin was that team.
The Badgers had the perfect combination to break down Virginia’s defense.
The Badgers walked away with a 65-41 win over the Cavaliers.
A big man (Steven Crowl) who makes good decisions when doubled and guys who can knock down three-pointers.
Crowl ended with 15 points and 10 rebounds, but his passing served as a difference-maker. The second half of the equation was a team effort.
The Badgers shot 8-18 from long-distance, with seven different players making at least one.
Overall, Wisconsin shot 40% from the floor, which impacted Virginia on the offensive end.
The Cavaliers only shot 33% from the floor, in part because they started too many possessions, taking the ball out after made baskets.
This puts a premium on offensive possessions since Virginia plays slower.
That’s where the problems begin.
Wisconsin’s defense put a premium on taking drives away. Even though Reece Beekman had a nice stat line (6-12 from the floor), the strategy proved effective.
Virginia had to work on every offensive possession, and a 4-14 performance from the three-point line allowed the Badgers to stay in an aggressive posture.
There will be plenty of nights where Bennett’s defense will force the opponents into poor decisions that will lead to transition and secondary transition baskets, but against Wisconsin, that opportunity wasn’t there.
