What's wrong is everyone is really good.
So, this is a part of it, but just a part. Everyone is very good, but UW is also good enough to not go 0-7 against the top 4. Maybe that number should b 1-6 or 2-5, but they should be good enough to pull one of those out.
They've been able to close in at points 2-3 of those seven games. Today's they rallied after just a garbage first 35 or so minutes. Mix in getting incinerated for a half against Maryland and a kinda of wonky loss to Penn State, they possess the ability to be in a better station than thy are.
If nothing else, they have five scholarship seniors and four are not playing up to snuff. Here's where they are:
Brad Davison - He's a low-ceiling guy, but he's mostly been an efficent off-guard. This year, he's gone to hell in terms of 2-point shooting and it's dragged him down. A lot of pressing, too much trying to draw contact, plus some uncalled contact that links to his style of foul-drawing wearing thin. It's been not ideal.
Nate Reuvers - Third-team all-conference last year, he was expected to pair with Micha Potter for 40 minuets of decent to good to sometimes very good Big Ten center. He's been solid enough on defense, the reason he was expected to play more, but his offense has been a mess. He's shooting 46 percent from 2, 26.9 from 3, few free throws. He was supposed to be a post anchor for much of games.
Potter - He's been good statistically, but he's seemed to move away from effective/assertive post play of late. He's also at 32.8 on 3s in conference play, which is bad because he takes mostly very open ones and can hit them. His defense was bad early last year, and might be worse this year. If he was solid, he could stay on the floor most of the game.
Aleem Ford: I always assumed he’d be inconsistent, but after a really nice finish last year, he’s just been unimpressive. His shooting has been highly spotty. I thought he could go either way, but he’s gone the wrong one, which hurt when his backup, future starter Tyler Wahl, scuffles.
So UW is playing worse than its ability in a tougher conference. Like all manner of Wisconsin teams have issues, but this one has been a bit more ragged in some key areas.