Beyond the Box Score: Minnesota 81, Wisconsin 68

(Photo courtesy Marilyn Indahl, USA Today)

We're starting to see a pattern.

Another tough but winnable game is lost as the opposing team is able to score at will. This is something that needs to be corrected and I have faith it will.

But it’s definitely starting to worry me.

Let’s take a quick look at the box score (if you can bare it).

• Minnesota had 48 points in the paint. This is really becoming concerning. Usually this is a stat that deals mostly with postmen scoring (and part of it does) but so many times last night the Badgers let a guard take all the space he wanted on the drive for a lay-up or easy touch shot. It was maddening to watch.
• Minnesota outrebounded the Badgers 32-22. With the way the Gophers had their way with the Wisconsin defense, every loose ball needed to be collected. Giving up ten offensive rebounds can be dealt with if the defense is making enough stops. Last night it was fatal.
• Dukan, Brown and Bohannon all played two minutes for the Badgers. This is the result of Kaminsky getting two early fouls and having to sit just about the entire first half. It’s something we’ve talked about quite a bit since before the season even started: there isn’t much post depth on this team. Yes, Hayes has been a great surprise, but if he or Kaminsky has to sit, it’s a parade of guys that just aren’t built for guarding postmen in the Big Ten.
• Finally, Minnesota scored 81 points. Yeah, you don’t need to go Beyond the Box to really see that, but it really bugs me. Seems like in the past few years, Iowa is the only team that can put up 80 on the Badgers. They’ve given up an average of nearly 78 points in the last three losses. Yes, the offense may be the best overall Bo has had in Wisconsin, but it’s to the point where it’s not outrageous to ask if this might be his worst defensive team as well.

The Purdue game just got a lot bigger than it should be, as the Badgers really need to stop the bleeding.