Close Menu
WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot
    Wisconsin Badgers, Darrion Dupree

    Wisconsin Badgers Football: Darrion Dupree Gets Honest About Playing Under Jeff Grimes’ New System As 2025 Season Nears

    May 11, 2025
    Wisconsin Badgers fans

    NFL News: Hunter Wohler Credits Wisconsin Badgers For Growth As He Officially Signs With Colts as 237th Pick

    May 11, 2025
    Green Bay Packers, Elgton Jenkins

    Green Bay Packers’ Elgton Jenkins Makes 1-Emoji Post as He Gets Dragged in Ugly Strip Club Fight

    May 11, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter)
    Trending
    • Wisconsin Badgers Football: Darrion Dupree Gets Honest About Playing Under Jeff Grimes’ New System As 2025 Season Nears
    • NFL News: Hunter Wohler Credits Wisconsin Badgers For Growth As He Officially Signs With Colts as 237th Pick
    • Green Bay Packers’ Elgton Jenkins Makes 1-Emoji Post as He Gets Dragged in Ugly Strip Club Fight
    • Milwaukee Bucks Predicted to Pick Big Man Dubbed as Asian Andrew Bogut for 47th Pick
    • NBA News: Monta Ellis Compares His 2012 Trade to Milwaukee Bucks to That of Shocking Luka Doncic Trade to LA
    • Brewers News: Brandon Woodruff Remains Impressive in Last Minors Outing As He is To Make Majors Comeback After 602 Days
    • Brewers News: Pat Murphy Describes Big 4-2 Win Over Rays as Necessary But There’s Something He’s Still Looking For
    • Brewers News: Christian Yelich Shares Story About Mom, Pink Bat That Helped Brewers Prevent Going Disastrous 0-3 Vs Tampa Bay
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Writers
    Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
    WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics
    SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES
    • Packers
      • Aaron Rodgers News
      • Jordan Love News
      • Matt LaFleur News
      • Packers News
      • Packers Rumors
      • Packers History
    • Bucks
      • Giannis Antetokounmpo News
      • Bucks News
      • Bucks Rumors
    • Brewers
      • Brewers News
      • Brewers Rumors
    • Badgers
      • Wisconsin Badgers Football
      • Wisconsin Badgers Basketball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Basketball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Hockey
      • Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling
    • Marquette
      • Marquette Basketball
    • Draft
      • 2023 NFL Draft Big Board & Scouting Reports
      • 2023 NFL Mock Drafts
    • Milkmen
      • Milwaukee Milkmen News
      • Milwaukee Milkmen Rumors
    • Podcasts
      • CheeseDads Sports
      • Packers Podcast
      • Wickett On Wisconsin
    • Fantasy
    • NFL
    WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics
    You are here Home » Three Takeaways: Wisconsin Fall Apart Late Again, Drops To Illini Basketball
    Wisconsin Badgers

    Three Takeaways: Wisconsin Fall Apart Late Again, Drops To Illini Basketball

    Dylan BuboltzBy Dylan BuboltzJanuary 28, 2023Updated:September 6, 20231 Comment4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Illini Basketball Wisconsin
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    It was a gut-check game for the Wisconsin Badgers. Coming in losing five of their last six games, the Badgers returned home against Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball. After a terrible first-half shooting, Wisconsin took the lead in the second half. However, the defense fell apart late again, and the offense was really bad again. At the end, Wisconsin fell to Illini Basketball 61-51. Here are some three takeaways from today’s game.

    Badgers Basketball Category CTA

    Max Klesmit Was Really Good vs. Illini Basketball

    Max Klesmit returned vs. Illini Basketball after missing the last two games after a facial injury against Penn State. He came out of the tip and was aggressive on both sides of the ball. He look confident from the field and was a spark Wisconsin looked like they were missing. Klesmit ended up leading the Badgers with 12 points

    However, the Wisconsin offense was poor again. They only scored 16 points and shot 18% from the field in the first half. Tyler Wahl picked up two early fouls and had to sit. Greg Gard decided not to put him back in at the end of the half. I thought that was a mistake as Illinois scored the last seven points and took a 20-16 lead at half.

    Both Sides Of The Ball Fell Apart Late Again vs. Illini Basketball

    Illini Down No. 14 Wisconsin, 79-69 - University of Illinois Athletics

    Despite an ugly first half from both teams, the second half began with some fire. Both teams were knocking clutch shots down. Wisconsin ended up with a 35-34 lead after Chucky Hepburn went on a hot streak. The Kohl Center was loud and full of energy. After a 37-37 tie, the Wisconsin offense went cold again and only scored 14 points the rest of the way. Wisconsin ended the game only shooting 32%. On your home court, that is unacceptable.

    The defense wasn’t any better in the second half. The defense has been suspect at best in second halves in the last three games. Today was no different. Once the game was tied at 37, Illini Basketball went on a 22-4 run. Wisconsin doesn’t have the consistent offense to pick up their defense.

    Connor Essegian had a tough afternoon. He was the primary defender on Matthew Mayer, and Mayer torched him. He ended with a career-high 26 points. Gard didn’t do much to help Essegian, especially since it was a five-inch difference in height. It was a tough ask for Essegian, but he didn’t get much help from his coaches either.

    It’s Time To Go On A Run

    A look at Illinois vs. Wisconsin Badgers basketball on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

    Wisconsin was looked at by most bracketologists as a “Last Four In”. Right now, this is not an NCAA Tournament team. With 10 regular season games left, the Badgers will probably need to go at least 7-3 to solidify their spot. If not, their fate will most likely come down to the Big Ten Tournament, where they could see the likes of the Illini Basketball team again.

    Is it time for Wisconsin to hit the reset button? I’m not sure. The good part is they have four days of rest until they have to hit the road again for a date with Ohio State Thursday. Both teams will be desperate for a win.

    There isn’t a whole lot Wisconsin does well right now. They can’t shoot consistently, their defense has fallen apart late in the last three games, and they are really bad at the free-throw line. This team doesn’t have much of a spark right now, and they need it badly.

    Book an Athlete Appearance Final

    Follow me on Twitter @DylanBuboltz and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!

    Get the latest Wisconsin sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Packers, Bucks, Brewers, Badgers and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story on your favorite Wisconsin teams.

    Badgers Big Ten illinois wisconsin
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Avatar photo
    Dylan Buboltz

    Dylan is the President of Wisconsin Sports Heroics and the lead Wisconsin Badgers Football and Men's Basketball writer. He’s also held the roles of Vice President and staff writer. Dylan has been with WSH since May 2020. His work has been featured on YardBarker and Bleacher Report.

    Related Posts

    Wisconsin Badgers, Darrion Dupree

    Wisconsin Badgers Football: Darrion Dupree Gets Honest About Playing Under Jeff Grimes’ New System As 2025 Season Nears

    May 11, 2025
    Wisconsin Badgers fans

    NFL News: Hunter Wohler Credits Wisconsin Badgers For Growth As He Officially Signs With Colts as 237th Pick

    May 11, 2025
    Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball, Badgers Volleyball

    4 former Wisconsin Badgers volleyball players selected for Nations League

    May 11, 2025
    GUk9Tx8W4AARdrz

    Wisconsin Badgers: 5 Schools Including Wisconsin Are in Mix for 2027 4 Star Denton Guyer DE

    May 10, 2025
    View 1 Comment

    1 Comment

    1. Gary on January 29, 2023 6:43 pm

      All phases look weak. Offense , defense ,free throw shooting and ball movement. Yes I would think it’s time to be concerned if not panic.

      Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    WI Sports Heroics
    Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisement
    • Privacy Policy
    • Corporate
    © 2025 WISportsHeroics All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    x