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SPORTS

5 Keys 4 UW

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Also by Mike Ackerstein:

Wisconsin hits road for Milwaukee (December 12, 2007)
Heisman pressures could tackle Tebow (December 10, 2007)
Wisconsin's home streak dead at 28 (December 10, 2007)
Poor ball control haunts Badgers (December 10, 2007)
Badgers put on show against Terriers (December 4, 2007)

by Mike Ackerstein

Friday, March 2, 2007

Exploit emotions

A win would not only send the three seniors out on a high note, it would also avenge this season's previous defeat and preserve a perfect home-court record. These three factors should give the Badgers plenty of emotional fuel of which to take advantage.

Adjust to life without Butch

Brian Butch, in addition to leading the team in rebounding, was particularly valuable in his ability to stretch defenses and pull the opposing big men away from the basket. The Badgers will need to get bigger contributions from their other post players to match up with MSU's size on both ends of the floor.

Defend ball screens

In the last meeting, MSU guard Drew Neitzel scored 28 points, many of which came off of ball screens for pull-up jumpers. This time around, the Badgers must do a better job of hedging screens, as well as fighting through them.

Get Tucker quality shots

Alando Tucker has been held to only 32 percent shooting in the past two games, 16 percentage points below his average. Tucker is at his best slashing and driving to the basket, while his shooting percentage tends to take a hit when he settles for contested threes.

Be patient on offense

Michigan State leads the conference in field goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense. Still, every team has defensive weaknesses and good ball movement should reveal quality looks.

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