For the second time in a row, Wisconsin basketball blew a double digit second half lead to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. After leading as many as 19, the Cornhuskers went on a 20-3 run and took the lead late in regulation. Ultimately, it was an 80-72 overtime loss for the Badgers. Wisconsin basketball now falls to 8-2 in the conference and 16-5 overall. Here are three takeaways from the loss last night.
Wisconsin Basketball Gave The Game Away
A ton of credit goes to Nebraska. They made some ridiculous shots in the second half, C.J. Wilcher came off the bench and had a three point parade. Just about every shot had a Wisconsin basketball defender in his face. Reink Mast made a step back three with Steven Crowl’s hand in his face to tie the game with a minute left in regulation. Everything that went wrong for the Badgers did and Nebraska needed everything to go right in the second half and it did.
However, this is on Wisconsin. They looked a step slow coming out of halftime and got away from everything they did in the second half. For the first time since probably the Providence game, Wisconsin got punched in the mouth and laid down. For a team this experienced, there is no way a half like that should happen especially after they lost a 17 point lead to Nebraska on the road a season ago.
Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl Were No Shows Again
It seems to be a common denominator. When it Badgers lose, Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl are non-factors. Eight combined points on seven shot attempts. That can’t happen.
Wisconsin is at their best when these two get touches in the paint. Maybe part of this is on the guards for not getting them more involved, but Greg Gard had to call out Steven Crowl for at least the third time this season for not being tougher in the paint.
Wisconsin basketball will have an early exit in the NCAA Tournament if they play the style they did in the second half. They look like an average team when that happens. When they play their style, they are easily a Sweet 16 and beyond team. Moving forward, Crowl and Wahl have to demand the ball and the guards have to keep them involved.
The Loss Does Not Hurt
It’s been a brutal recap here and rightfully so. Wisconsin basketball does not get a pass for last night. However, this was a quad one game and the Badgers already have six quad one wins. This loss does not hurt their tournament resume. A win likely would not have dome much either.
We know the potential this team has. They have shown it a ton. It’s why they are ranked sixth in the country. This is a very good basketball team. I think what’s frustrating is we have seen at times they get away from what worked especially in second halves.
The Badgers will be fine, but they have to start figuring out ways to finish games on the road. It will go a long way determining how far they make it in the NCAA Tournament.
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