The Wisconsin Badgers will try to end a 2-game Big Ten losing streak on Saturday
Jared Berggren
afternoon. They’ll not only be battling the rival Minnesota Gophers, but themselves as well.
Consistency on offense has been a problem for the Badgers this season. Especially at the free throw line where Wisconsin is at 61% for the season and 52% in the Big Ten, which ranks last.
Badger big man Jared Berggren said they certainly didn’t expect the free throw shooting slump to last this long.
AUDIO: Jared Berggren said this slump has gone on for some time :17
The Badgers (13-6, 4-2) are coming off a 49-47 loss at home to Michigan State on Tuesday. They hit just 29% of their field goals and just 7 of their 18 free throw chances.
AUDIO: Mike Bruesewitz isn’t happy having to answer more free throw questions :12
The slump for some is worse than others. Senior forward Ryan Evans is converting just 39% of his free throws.
AUDIO: Bruesewitz says the problems are mental :19
Just one or two more made shots or a shot and a free throw or two and the Badgers beat Michigan State on Tuesday night. Holding a Big Ten team to 49-points should be enough to win a game.
All the Badgers can do is keep shooting them. But the difference between a team that achieves a really good finish in the Big Ten is a team that does the little things, including making free throws. They may be free, but there’s nothing routine about making a free throw for the Badgers right now.
Suits and Sneakers Saturday
This weekend, Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin coaches are teaming up with Coaches vs.
Bo Ryan
Cancer to participate in the annual Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend. By wearing sneakers with their suits, the coaching staffs from both teams are trying to raise awareness of the many ways people can reduce their risk of cancer.
Advantage Wisconsin
Wisconsin has won 16 of the last 20 match-ups with Minnesota, including three straight. At home, the Badgers have been even better, winning 14 of the last 15 contests with the Gophers.