Wisconsin looking to change course at Robert Morris' expense

Field Level Media|published: Thu 16th November, 18:05 2023

Nov 14, 2023; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard AJ Storr (2) drives the ball up the court during the second half against the Providence Friars at Amica Mutual Pavilion. credits: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin will be looking to fix an uncharacteristically porous defense after back-to-back losses when the Badgers host Robert Morris in a nonconference matchup Friday night.

Wisconsin (1-2) was routed at Providence 72-59 on Tuesday in the Gavitt Tipoff Games in a contest that was not as close as the final score indicated. Robert Morris (1-2) lost 66-62 at Towson on Sunday after being tied with less than a minute to go.

Against Providence, the Badgers fell behind early, trailed 37-21 at the half and were down by as many as 25 before closing with a 13-1 run. Providence shot 58.5 percent while the Badgers shot 33.9 percent and were just 7 of 20 on layups.

In their previous game, Wisconsin lost at home to Tennessee 80-70, allowing the seventh-ranked Volunteers to shoot 50 percent from the floor.

The Badgers are averaging 78.0 points per game but allow 76.0. Last season, Wisconsin allowed 63.6 points per game and was 13-3 when holding opponents to 60 points or fewer.

AJ Storr, a sophomore transfer from St. John's, averages a team-high 18.0 points, with Chucky Hepburn the only other player in double figures at 13.7.

"Credit to Providence. They kicked our ass. We'll see how we respond to it," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said.

"They played hard. We didn't play hard enough all the time and it showed," Gard said. "Playing hard covers up warts."

Robert Morris, picked to finish seventh in the Horizon League preseason poll, averages 63.7 points, while giving up 66.3. The Colonials are shooting just 36.7 percent on field-goal attempts.

Justice Williams is the leading scorer with 18.5 points per game, followed by Markeese Hastings at 15.3, and Stephaun Walker at 13.3. Hastings averages 10.7 rebounds per game.

"We haven't really looked at them yet," Robert Morris coach Andrew Toole said about Wisconsin after the Towson game. "We'll break this game down, finish this game, try and get a couple good days of practice, and try and give our best effort on Friday."

—Field Level Media

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