The loss to the Maryland Terrapins was just the second in the last 10 for the Wisconsin Badgers but fans can’t help but glaze it due to what happened to them last year. Coach Greg Gard’s squad fell to their hosts, 76-68, after slipping in the last 10 minutes of the second half.
Badgers basketball has been awesome lately and they appear like a legit March Madness team. They did lost to UCLA Bruins but it was only for one point and they even got praises for their better second half.
The loss to the Maryland Terrapins affected fans differently though. To many, the defeat is enough to ask if they are going to see a repeat of the disastrous 2024.
The team played in the first half of the season last year but when January came, that’s where the problem started. They went 3-8 in their last 11 games as they were about to enter the post-season.
They did well in the Big Ten tournament but they crashed out in the NCAA tournament when they fall to the James Madison University.
In 2023, they also went 6-6 after January and missed the NCAA tourney.
They are turning over a new leaf for the current season and they have been remarkable this January.
Fans can’t hide their anxiety, however, because of the Terrapins loss.
Greg Gard dismisses trend that worries fans
Gard, who won his 200th game as a Badgers coach two weeks ago, is not too concerned by the “curse” people are talking about.
To him, the Terrapins loss is just another game and what he is more focused about now is the next assignment. He also saw lots of positives from the match up.
“I don’t worry about other years,” Gard said. “I’ve been around long enough. On to the next game.”
His players feel the same.
John Tonje, who topscored for them despite early foul trouble, expressed confidence on what the team has built since the start of the season.
“There is no reason to lose confidence,” he added. “We know who we are. We are confident in who we are and how we come together and will bounce back from this. We have a mature team that is willing to learn from each win and loss and we’ll be just fine moving forward.”
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
