quick takeaways from the Badgers 74-67 win over Minnesota: Can it get any uglier?
Kamari McGee is best suited as a defense-first guard who provides energy and a spark off the bench. His offensive skillset has certainly matured this year, but he’s still best suited to be secondary ball-handler working in the corner, where his three-point percentage has been high and the option to beat defenders baseline with a fake for a layup is also available.
But, without Klesmit, McGee is more of a primary ball-handler, putting him in more of an uncomfortable situation, where he’s not taking shots that are the most efficient for him. After a 1/8 game against Michigan State where McGee was a -17 in the box score, the point guard was scoreless on three attempts Wednesday, not looking for his shot much.
He did have five assists, working more as a facilitator, but the lack of shot-creators on the court was apparent.
Carter Gilmore has also looked out of sorts at times offensively over the past few games, as the lack of shot-creators has hurt him as well, with the forward passing up a few catch-and-shoot threes.
Gilmore hasn’t shot well recently, but him being placed in a different role has also put the offense out of sorts.
Without Klesmit, the Badgers are too reliant on Tonje and Blackwell, which forces more shots from them and more missed threes from the team overall, as there are less attempts from deep by the top players on the team.
Klesmit also adds another edge defensively, although Wisconsin has been good in that department as of late. But, they’re missing his presence as a ball-handler alongside Blackwell to set up those pick-and-roll actions where defenses have to be aware of every avenue that comes out of it.
Now, should people start fading the Badgers after their last two games? No. They’re not at full strength and are a much better team with Klesmit in the lineup. But, these past two have shown the worries that Wisconsin could have if they’re not fully healthy heading into the tournament
