Wisconsin’s season opener left plenty for Greg Gard to sort through, and now the Badgers get another chance to clean things up when they face Delaware in game two.
The win over Denver came with a lot less polish than Wisconsin would have wanted. Gard didn’t hide that afterward, calling it "not our standard." He also said the staff is still working through the rotation, and these early games are part of that process.
There were stretches that looked encouraging. Wisconsin put together a solid first half and seemed to build as the game went along.
But the second half told a different story, with the Badgers falling off and losing that frame 38-31. Gard described that stretch as the adversity this team needed.
Now Wisconsin is looking for a sharper showing and a 2-0 start when it takes on Delaware.
The game will again be on B1G+, which means fans will need the subscription-based streaming service to watch on TV, mobile, or online. It’s the second Wisconsin game this season that has landed exclusively there. The one silver lining: this is the last game that will only be available on B1G+, with the next matchup against Fairfield set for the regular Big Ten Network.
As for the lineup, Wisconsin’s first game featured Owen Foxwell, Braeden Carrington, Eian Elmer, Victory Onuetu, and Nolan Winter in the starting five. That was close to what was expected, with the only change being Rapp starting in place of Onuetu.
Gard has said he likes what Onuetu gives the team defensively and with his energy, and the two players offer very different skill sets. Depending on the matchup, he could keep mixing and matching those spots.
For Delaware, the projected starting five is Owen Foxwell, Braeden Carrington, Eian Elmer, Victory Onuetu, and Nolan Winter.
Gard likely won’t change much in the starting group from game one, though more lineup combinations could show up from the bench.
Will Garlock is still expected to be out as he continues recovering from injury. Once he returns, he should be a major piece of the rotation and lineup.
One more note for the history books: Wisconsin and Delaware have never met before. This will be the first game between the two programs. Wisconsin has played Delaware State before, though, meeting that team in 2006 at the South Padre Island Invitational.
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