The #6 Wisconsin Badgers wanted to put the bad loss against the Nebraska Cornhuskers behind them with a Sunday afternoon matchup against the #2 Purdue Boilermakers at home. Purdue made more plays than Wisconsin in this matchup and the Boilermakers took down the Badgers by a final score of 75-69.
With the win, Purdue is now in sole possession of first place in the BIG10 Conference after Wisconsin had first place last week. The Purdue Boilermakers have a 10-2 conference record and a 21-2 overall record this season. They are on track for one of the number one seeds in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
As for the Wisconsin Badgers, they drop to 8-3 in conference play and have a 16-6 overall record so far this season. Wisconsin is now tied for second place in the conference with the #14 Illinois Fighting Illini. They have a 17-5 record this season and an 8-3 record in BIG10 Conference Play.
Greg Gard’s team had three different players score in double figures. Tyler Wahl led the way with 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. AJ Storr had 14 points and Max Klesmit also added 10 points for Wisconsin.
Tyler Wahl spoke to Mark Stewart of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after the game and mentioned how the Boilermakers outworked the Badgers throughout the course of the basketball game:
“We just didn’t match the physicality or check them as much as we needed to today. They got a bunch of offensive rebounds and that led to a bunch of fouls or points or a whole lot of bad things. But you’ve got to give them credit. They’re physical. They crash the glass on every free throw. Every shot they’ve got certain guys coming in there.”
Purdue outrebound Wisconsin 42-29 in this contest and that was one of the biggest differences in this basketball game. The Badgers will need to be better on the glass moving forward. Wisconsin was in line for a two-seed in the NCAA Tournament and now they will drop to a three or a four-seed after their bad week of performances.
Purdue Boilermakers Have Four Players Score In Double Digits Against the Wisconsin Badgers
Purdue’s head coach Matt Painter has his team in line as one of the best team’s in the country once again this season. Zach Edey had another double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds, along with two assists. Lance Jones led the way for the Purdue Boilermakers with 20 points, six rebounds, and three rebounds.
Braden Smith scored 19 points and Fletcher Loyer also added 12 points for Purdue. They were just the better team in this matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers. The Boilermakers should be the favorite to win the BIG10 Tournament over teams like the Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Wisconsin and Purdue will face each other again on Sunday, March 10 at Purdue. It will be the last game of the regular season before the BIG10 Conference Tournament begins.
