The #6 Wisconsin Badgers fell to un-ranked Maryland at home 70-64 Monday night. Maryland was red hot from the floor in the second half. As a result, Wisconsin could not recover. Senior D’Mitrik Trice led Wisconsin with 25 points. Aleem Ford also had 10 points for the Badgers. Wisconsin fell to 8-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.
First Half Analysis
The first half had a feel similar to the Nebraska game. Both teams started out slow. It took the Badgers some time to get into the flow of the game. Maryland brought energy and emotion both from their players and bench. Every time the Badgers had the ball, Maryland would be shouting from the bench.
Wisconsin came into this game third in the Big Ten in free throw shooting at about 77%. The first half, the Badgers only shot 5-10 from the free throw line. The Badgers only shot 37% (10-27) from the field and 37.5% (3-8) from three.
The Badger defense was stout and solid again. They have kept the Badgers in every first half Wisconisn has started out slow in. Maryland only shot 37% (10-27) from the field and 30% (3-10) from three. The Terrapins also committed six first half turnovers.
The Badgers also kept Maryland’s best two scorers in check the first half. Leading scorer Eric Ayala was held scoreless. Sophomore Donta Scott only had 2 first half points.
I mentioned in the game preview this would be a game Nate Reuvers and Micah Potter would need to play great in. Reuvers went 0-4 from the field in the first half. Potter went 2-6 for four first half points. D’Mitrik Trice led the way for Wisconsin in the first half with 10 points. The Badgers led 28-24 at the end of the half.
Second Half Analysis
The second half was dominated by the Maryland Terrapins. After an early surge put Wisconsin up 34-26, Maryland responded with an 8-0 run of their own to tie the game at 34. At one point, Maryland was shooting 58% (11/19) from the field in the second half.
Wisconsin was able to respond to every Maryland punch in the second half until some unfortunate plays and poor defense led to easy Maryland points. Brad Davison committed two “and one” plays with one coming on a questionable call from the officials.
Late in the second half, D’Mitrik Trice was in great defensive position, but had his feet in the restricted area. This resulted in Maryland free throws as well. Terrapins leading scorer Eric Ayala ended with 17 points while Aaron Wiggins and Donta Scott added in 15 and 12 respectively.
After indicating earlier that Micah Potter and Nate Reuvers needed to have big games, the duo combined for 12 points. While the Badgers didn’t shoot awful (43.6%), they did end up shooting 53.3% (8-15) from the free throw line. This is a good free throw shooting team that had a lot of chances tonight. This will need to be cleaned up moving forward.
Up Next
The Badgers play host to the #21 Minnesota Golden Gophers on New Years Eve. Tip is scheduled for 3:30 CST on the Big Ten Network. The Golden Gophers are 9-1 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play. The Badger will need to be ready for junior guard Marcus Carr as he is one of the best guards in the Big Ten and the country.
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