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Wisconsin is officially in trouble after Michigan State loss

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

After suffering its fourth loss in five games, it's safe to say Wisconsin is in trouble.

The Badgers' latest setback was Sunday's 10-point loss to an injury-depleted Michigan State squad - the second straight loss by that margin for Greg Gard's program.

Thanks to the Big Ten's general ineptitude, the Badgers still sit second in the conference behind only Purdue, but they're primed for an early exit in the NCAA tournament if they don't improve in these areas of the game:

Bricks

Wisconsin's shooting has been dreadful for the last month, and it's finally reached the point where they can't overcome it. The Badgers haven't made more than 44 percent of their field goals in nine straight games, with the Spartans keeping them at 43 percent Sunday. It's not just field goals that are giving Wisconsin issues, as the team shot just 13-of-25 from the foul line against Michigan State. That comes off 67 and 57 percent performances the past two games. There's a lid on the basket for Wisconsin, and it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.

Big men running wild

Ethan Happ is one of the best interior defenders in the country, but the Badgers have been dominated by opposition forwards in their past four losses. The top forwards on the winning team in those games have made 62 percent of their shots from the field, posting some gaudy numbers in the process.

Player Team Points Rebounds
Dererk Pardon Northwestern 11 8
Moritz Wagner Michigan 21 3
Jae-Sean Tate Ohio State 15 12
Nick Ward Michigan State 22 9

Nick Ward was the latest forward to explode against Wisconsin, making 9-of-12 shots from the field on his way to 22 points and nine rebounds. Happ made just 4-of-10 shots against the Spartans for eight points - six below his season average. Ward wasn't just beating the Badgers in the post, as this beautiful transition bucket shows.

3-point problems

Wisconsin's struggles shooting were documented above, but the Badgers are failing at the 3-point line on both ends of the court. Over the past four losses, Gard's outfit is making just 31 percent of their 3-pointers, while allowing a scorching 46 percent against.

Opposition 3-pt Made-Attempted 3-pt % Wisconsin 3-pt %
Northwestern 7-17 41.2 36.8
Michigan 9-23 39.1 18.8
Ohio State 10-16 62.5 43.3
Michigan State 7-17 41.2 27.8

Teams that struggle to guard the 3-point line and can't make their own certainly don't last long in March, and the Badgers will have to improve at both ends to avoid a quick exit.

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