Will Aleksas Bieliauskas Continue to Start for Wisconsin?
MADISON, Wis. — In Wednesday’s 85-73 win over Northwestern, Wisconsin made a little wrinkle in its starting lineup. Head coach Greg Gard isn’t often one to shuffle with his rotation, but true freshman forward Aleksas Bieliauskas found his way into the starting lineup for the first time in his career.
It wasn’t a stat stuffing performance for Bieliauskas, but a productive one nonethless. The Lithuanian forward scored six points (2-5), and grabbed three rebounds in 20 minutes. Bieliauskas also knocked down his first shot of the game, a 3-pointer to give the Badgers an early 3-2 lead.
“I think he was just solid overall,” said junior guard John Blackwell. “He brought a different dynamic to our team.”
That dynamic is more physical on the interior. In losses to BYU and TCU respectively, Wisconsin has been exposed in its frontcourt with its inability to either rebound or stop the ball at the rim defensively. The Badgers won’t be able to solve their problems overnight, or perhaps even this season, but at 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, Bieliauskas packs a little more punch than Rapp, specifically with his 1-on-1 post defense.
According to head coach Gard, there were multiple reasons for the change. Sliding Bieliauskas in for Rapp also allows junior forward Nolan Winter to play the power forward role, his best position. Against the Wildcats, Winter had an efficient 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting and got two easy dunks off backdoor cuts.
“I think putting Nolan at the four a little bit is more natural for him,” said Gard.
Gard added that moving Bieliauskas into the starting lineup was also matchup-based. Winter had a terrific defensive performance against Northwestern star forward Nick Martinelli (19.8 ppg) last season. Martinelli (6-7) excels with his back to the basket. Scoring over Winter and his 7-0 wingspan takes that off the table.
Gard also wants more firepower off his bench. Up until Wednesday, Wisconsin was averaging a respectable 17.0 ppg from its reserves, but got just six in their most recent loss to TCU in San Diego. In his first game off the bench this season, Rapp went for 13 points (5-8) and two assists in 27 minutes. The Badgers were also +18 with the sophomore forward on the floor, a team-best.
“It gives us scoring punch off the bench,” Gard continued. “I didn’t think we had enough of it. Aussie also has to get better.
“There’s some things, I thought we’d be a little better physically on the glass and defensively in the paint (with Bieliauskas). And we were. We just have to keep helping guys bet better.
“Aussie responded to it well. Did a good job of driving and playing off two feet. That’s what we’ve got to continue to build on and get more of that from him. We all know he can shoot it. It’s the other things I want to see him add and improve to in his game.”
Blackwell, unprompted, was also quick to praise Rapp, who is averaging 10.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 32 percent from 3-point range since arriving from Portland.
“Credit to Austin Rapp,” Blackwell continued. “That shows maturity. Credit to him for not taking it personally. A lot of guys would take it personally that they got pulled out of the starting lineup. He was good all practice when the adjustment was made.”
Wisconsin (6-2, 1-0) resumes action on Saturday against in-state rival Marquette (5-4). Following Wednesday’s win, Gard said he had no clue as to whether or not Bieliauskas would continue to start, as he had not “watched a second” of the Golden Eagles.
“I don’t get too wound up in who starts,” said Gard. “Whatever is best for the team is how I look at that. I won’t play musical chairs, but I thought Aleksas didn’t do anything to discourage me from starting him again.”
