NFL
By: Melo Williams
Wisconsin improved to 16-4 and 6-3 in the Big Ten following an 83-55 win over Nebraska improving to 23-17 in the all time series, 12-4 in games in Madison, including a mark of 17-7 since the Huskers joined the Big Ten. The Badgers also improved to 11-1 at home this season.
UW scored at least 80 points for the 13th time this season, equaling the third-highest such total and the most since it posted 13 games of 80+ in 1970-71.
UW defense opened the game forcing Nebraska into a shot clock violation. After the Badgers missed its first shot of the game, the Badgers then went on a 8-0 run before the Cornhuskers scored.
Wisconsin then went on an 11-2 run behind 5 points by a John Blackwell lay up and a 3-pointer, and a 3-pointer apiece from John Tonje and Nolan Winter before former Badger Connor Essegian ended Wisconsin’s run and Nebraska’s 3:59 scoring drought with a 3-pointer from the wing.
Nebraska then put together an 11-0 run themselves cutting Wisconsin lead down to 5 points, eventually 3 points, before Wisconsin tightened up the defense and closed out the first half increasing the lead to 40-28 at halftime.
The Badgers held Nebraska to 28 points in the first half, the 4th time in the last 5 games holding their opponent below 30 at intermission.
The second half was a lot of the same stifling Badger defense, holding Nebraska to just 27 points in the second half. With the Badgers holding Nebraska to just 55 points total, dating back to last season, Wisconsin is 27-1 in games holding opponents to 70 or fewer points, and now 11-1 this season after the win Sunday over Nebraska.
When asked about Wisconsin managing the Nebraska run and the making defensive adjustments the rest of the game, Kamari McGee said “Basketball is all about a game of runs. We knew they would punch back. We stayed together.”
UW defense was stout. The Cornhuskers shot just 33.9% from the field, matching the second-lowest mark for a UW opponent this season and the lowest during Big Ten play.
Wisconsin forced Nebraska into 12 turnovers and scored 17 points off the turnovers
Kamari on defense- “Just our preparation. We knew after Tuesdays game that we had to step it up defensively. We put 80 and still lost. So we knew that it wasn’t our scoring, it was the other end. We came into practice and locked in. We knew we had to come out and play better and we did.”
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg said “Wisconsin isn’t just one of the best teams in the conference, but in the country.”
Defensively, Hoiberg said that Wisconsin makes you uncomfortable, they get up underneath you.”
Wisconsin scored 43 points in the second largely behind John Tonje game-high 27 points also finishing with 5 rebounds. Tonje also added another head tapping thrown down dunk highlight over Connor Essegian.
This is the third game that Tonje scored at least 25 points for the 3rd time this season. Tonje was asked about counter defensive adjustments that’s been played against him lately and has he made counter adjustments, he said yes there’s been some counter adjustments.
“I’ve been watching film. Watching how guys are loading up on me. Seeing where I can still be effective for my team and try to make the right play.”
John Blackwell tallied 14 points, going 4-7 from 3-point range. Blackwell has scored in double figures in 17 of the 20 games this season.
Kamari McGee scored 11 points and grabbed 2 rebounds off the bench for Wisconsin.
Greg Gard was asked about Wisconsin increase in total points this season and the Badgers defense compared to seasons in the past.
“Over the summer the coaches was figuring out how to adjust with the evolution on how the game is played today and how we could be elite from an offensive standpoint and if we could be Top 10 in the country, which we are now.”
Gard said shooting the three more was something the Badgers knew they had to do, also figure out when to pass up the mid-range shot for the three or the layup.
So far Wisconsin has adjusted well being they are one of the top offensive teams in the country averaging 80+ points a game. UW scored at least 80 points for the 13th time this season, equaling the third-highest such total and the most since it posted 13 games of 80+ in 1970-71.
The Badgers have hit double-digit 3’s 11 times and pose a record of 8-3 this season when hitting double-digits. The 17 three’s made by Wisconsin vs Nebraska is the third most in school history.
Gard on defense remaining consistent over the years:
“Defensively we felt we needed to climb to be Top 25 in order to be really elite. Our 4s and 5s have gotten better on the switch on the screens. We don’t have a specific shot blocker so we have to protect the rim collectively.”
There’s a lot of ways to defend. You have to build your defense to your personnel. For us its been primarily the same defensive concept going back to the Dick Bennett days. We recruit based on who we are, where we are, all those type of things to play the way that gives us the best chance to have success.”
“Our 4s and 5s have gotten better on the switch on the screens, we don’t have a specific shot blocker so we have to protect the rim collectively. I believe in strength in numbers”
Next up for the Badgers is a Wednesday road game vs Maryland who has suddenly strung together a couple wins and is now starting to gel.
