MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Not all that long ago, Wisconsin grinded out games and won regularly by scoring in the 40s and 50s. Last year, Wisconsin could keep up with anybody with Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker leading the way.
The efficient Badgers are adept at adapting to the times and a new wrinkle has arrived this season: The shot clock has been shaved by five seconds, leaving teams – patient and otherwise – 30 seconds to run their offense.
Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan and other coaches aren’t necessarily buying that this will lead to dramatic changes in college basketball. But practices have changed subtly at many schools, communication and court awareness are more important than ever, and full-court pressure is getting a new look as a way to turn up the heat on offenses getting used to having less time on their hands.
“I’ve noticed it a little bit, having the clock five seconds less, especially with our scout squad putting pressure on us full court,” Wisconsin point guard Bronson Koenig said. “We just have to get things a little quicker.”
Teams with experienced guards like Koenig, and Wichita State’s Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker, may have easier adjustments. That veteran backcourt helped Wichita State finish fourth-best nationally in limiting turnovers last year.