In what seemed to be almost a must-win game, Wisconsin basketball was able to end their four game losing streak. The Badgers defeated Ohio State 62-54 at the Kohl Center last night. Steven Crowl had a bounce back game and led Wisconsin with 16 points and 10 rebounds, AJ Storr also added a double double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Wisconsin basketball improves to 9-5 in Big Ten play and 17-8 overall. Here are thee takeaways from last night’s win.
The Wisconsin Basketball Defense Bounced Back Nicely
During the four game losing streak, the Wisconsin basketball defense was poor at best. They let a really bad Rutgers offense go off for 78 points and allowed 53 second half and overtime points to Nebraska. Last place Michigan scored the least amount of points during that streak and they still scored 72 points.
Credit the Badgers for digging in last night. The Buckeyes only scored 21 points in the first half. Wisconsin basketball only allowed Ohio State to shoot two free throws and shoot 41% from the field.
In particular, Max Klesmit and Chucky Hepburn were great on that side. Jamison Battle only scored three points and it came at the end of regulation. Bruce Thornton scored 18 points, but Hepburn made him take 19 shots to get it. Thornton also hit some low percentage shots which you tip your hat to.
The Offense is Still a Big Question Mark
The Badgers offense scored 34 first half points, but also committed eight turnovers. In the second half, Wisconsin basketball only scored 28 points. There was not much flow on the offensive side.
At one point, Wisconsin had a 17 point lead, but the Buckeyes trimmed the lead down to as low as five. Too many times this month the offense has had lapses in the second half. There also seems to be some indecisiveness whether to shoot or pass. I like the unselfishness, but it seems like there is too many passes instead of taking the first good look. Overall, it was a choppy second half.
A Win is a Win
Last night, you take the win regardless how choppy it may have been. This Wisconsin basketball team needed a win and they needed it pretty bad. It turns out a little home cooking was the missing ingredient.
I think as long as the defense continues to get better, the offense will come back. Right now, Max Klesmit is in a pretty bad funk and there wasn’t much bench prediction last night or the last month or so. You can tell this team is missing Kamari McGee and John Blackwell.
I don’t think the Badgers solved anything on offense. They did just enough to win and made shots when they had to. Going forward, they need to continue to attack the rim, get to the free throw line, and take the open look when it’s here without hesitation. The overall decision making is still sketchy, but it is correctable.
Greg Gard also did not make a sub in the final 10:14 of the game, He has seemed to get very tight with his bench, I want to see Gard use his bench a little but more so his starters are ready for the final run. Otherwise, players like Hepburn, Storr, Klesmit, and Wahl will be burned out by the Big Ten Tournament.
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