Strong defense, balanced offense key to 4 & 0 mark

Adjacent photo courtesy of Royal Purple

The UW-Whitewater men’s basketball team takes a 4 & 0 record to Menomonie on Saturday and defense has been the key to the Hawks’ unbeaten record.

One statistic prominently shows the Hawks defensive effort.  Whitewater has forced 91 turnovers through four games while committing just 51.  Opponents have turned the ball over at least 20 times each game (22 vs. Beloit, 29 vs. Aurora, 15 vs. Carthage, 25 vs. Illinois Wesleyan)

Whitewater has 34 steals through four games compared to 18 for opponents.

The Hawks have also made more free throws (68) than their opponents have attempted (61).

The Warhawks lead the WIAC in field goal percentage at 53.7% and 43.1% from three-point territory

Scoring balance has also been evident. In each of the four wins Whitewater has had at least three players in double figures including six in the win over Aurora.

Quardell Young leads the way averaging 15.8 points per game. Darnell Harris ranks second at 14.3 followed by Luke Knobel 11.5 and Eric Bryson at 10.5 points per game.  KJ Evans is averaging 9.8 and Cody Odegard 8 points.

It’s early in the season but the Hawks are following the same formula as last year’s run to the NCAA Division III Championship.