After battling intensely with the #13 Illinois Fighting Illini, Wisconsin basketball was not able to pull off the upset victory over a tough team.
Wisconsin basketball has now extended a six-game losing streak to Illinois to seven games, which most recently saw the Badgers lose two blowouts. Now, Wisconsin has lost once again to Illinois as the Fighting Illini seem to have figured the Badgers out. The Badgers will look forward to their upcoming battle against Rutgers, who previously defeated Wisconsin earlier this season.
Wisconsin Basketball Drops Game Against #13 Illinois, Badgers Still Searching for Morale-Boosting Win
As Wisconsin basketball played one of their better offensive games this season, Illinois created a gap that the Badgers struggled to close. Illinois grabbed an early lead over Wisconsin by utilizing the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop, which they took directly into the half. Down by two to start the second half of play, Wisconsin basketball was able to quickly tie the game up at 54 points a piece, but never again came any closer to a lead in the game.
Forward Tyler Wahl led the Badgers offense with 20 points and seven rebounds on 9-of-14 shooting from the field. Guard Max Klesmit added 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists for the Wisconsin basketball team, but unfortunately it was not enough for the win.
Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Struggled to Play Their Best Basketball Against Illinois
In the game against Illinois, Wisconsin basketball proved they have the offense to compete against great teams as four players scored double-digit points. While Illinois has a struggling defense, Wisconsin shot the ball confidently dropping 50% of their shots into the bucket and nailing 37.5% from long-range. However, the issue for Wisconsin came on defense as they allowed far too many easy, open looks that Illinois did not fail to convert.
The Fighting Illini shot 56.3% from three-point range as Marcus Domask went four-of-six from deep, which is tough for any team to come back from. The Wisconsin basketball defense was far too soft, and unfortunately it created a gap the Badgers never could close.
Can Wisconsin Defeat Rutgers With a Similar Gameplan?
The name of the game against Illinois for Wisconsin basketball was attacking their defense and slowing down the offense by forcing the ball away from forward Marcus Domask. Wisconsin accomplished one goal and scored 83 points in a team effort on offense, but allowed the best shooter on the Illinois team to see far too many open shots. Domask dropped 31 points on the Badgers on 12-of-21 shooting from the field, which ultimately fueled the Fighting Illini to win.
In order for Wisconsin basketball to defeat their next opponent, Rutgers, they will need to stick to the same game-plan. If Wisconsin can slow down Rutgers and force their second or third scoring options to shoot, the Badgers can provide enough offense to win.
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