The Wisconsin Badgers have stayed undefeated this season after facing another team without a loss in the UCF Knights.
The Badgers have opened play of the Greenbrier Tip-Off with a win over a rather strong opponent this season. The UCF Knights are another program pegged to reach the NCAA Tournament this season, and played like that team at times. In total, Wisconsin played excellent defense and in turn hit shots on offense, while the Knights never really kept any sort of offensive momentum.
Both John Blackwell and Kamari McGee led the offense by distributing the basketball and also scoring the basketball for the Badgers. Blackwell is coming off of a career game against UTRGV and continued his hot-streak with another impressive performance against a better opponent as well.
The guard has been a bright spot for the team early on after being placed into the point guard position without much experience playing as a natural point guard. However, that has not stopped Blackwell from playing the position well and providing Wisconsin with much-needed veteran play. McGee has been a very similar player off the bench for the Badgers, and continues to be the spark that the team needs when the starters are tired.
Forward Nolan Winter is another player who should be mentioned as a major contributor towards the win. The big man played like a big man for the Wisconsin Badgers against a team that struggled to defend the paint overall. Winter was dominant on the boards in particular, which is something that the Wisconsin Badgers have truly needed this season.
Wisconsin Badgers Again Utilize Free-Throw, Defensive Prowess to Earn Win Against UCF
While the Wisconsin Badgers secured the win, a large reason as to why the team was able to do so was the continued success at the free-throw line.
The Wisconsin Badgers entered half-time with a 46-31 lead after attacking the paint and scoring second-chance buckets. What also led to many of the scores inside was excellent passing that set-up the shooters in position to score easy buckets. Wisconsin looked like a fluid, well functioning offense and it was by far the best flow the Badgers have showcased thus far into the season.
Another important aspect of play that allowed the Wisconsin Badgers won against the UCF Knights was due to the defensive play. Wisconsin put the clamps on the Knights and forced them to have arguably their worst half of basketball this season. The Badgers might not have a defense that results in massive amounts of blocks, steals, or turnovers, but rather one that forces low probability shots to be taken.
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