Badgers again unable to climb out of a big hole
MADISON – Wisconsin officials used Sunday to honor the 2007-’08 team that won both the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles and a total of 31 games before bowing out of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
The timing was unfortunate.
By the time the 2007-’08 team was honored at halftime Sunday at the Kohl Center, UW faced a 22-point deficit and was on its way to suffering an 83-72 loss to No. 20 Michigan.
UW’s latest Big Ten defeat was a sequel of the 60-52 loss to Northwestern on Feb. 1.
In that game, the Wildcats built an 18-1 lead just 5 minutes 31 seconds into the game and held on the rest of the way.
On Sunday, Michigan hit 3 of 4 three-pointers and 6 of 8 shots overall in building a 15-2 lead just 5:33 into the game.
“That’s two games in a row at home we came out flat and haven’t been as prepared as we should have been,” said freshman guard Brad Davison, who contributed 10 points but made just 3 of 10 shots. “We dig ourselves too much of a hole.”
UW coach Greg Gard tried to send an early message when he pulled starters Ethan Happ, Nate Reuvers (seven
points) and Aleem Ford just 2:24 into the game.
Michigan’s lead was just 4-0, but the Badgers had missed both of their shots, had a turnover and had allowed two baskets in the lane.
“I was a little taken aback because that’s not usually what he does,” Happ said. “But obviously, he saw something in us where we weren’t getting it done.
“That led to a 15-2 run. I can’t fault him for that.”
The Wolverines built their lead to 25 points in the second half, at 53-28 with 14:50 left on a dunk by Jon Teske.
UW pulled to within 11 points seven times, then to within eight twice, the second time on three free throws by Brevin Pritzl (13 points) with 50.7 seconds left; and finally to within seven after Davison hit three free throws with 39 seconds left.
The Wolverines countered with four free throws and UW missed its final three shots – all three-pointers.
UW (11-16, 4-10 Big Ten) is assured of finishing below .500 in league play for the first time since the 1997-’98 season. That team, led by Dick Bennett, finished 3-13 in the league and 12-19 overall.
Michigan (20-7, 9-5) won at the Kohl Center for just the second time in nine games under John Beilein.
The Wolverines entered the day having shot just 25.3% from threepoint range in their previous three games.
They hit 7 of 9 three-pointers (77.8%) in building a 33-15 lead with 7:11 left in the first half but finished just 9 of 20 (45.0%).
“We encouraged everybody,” Beilein said. “We know that it will correct itself, that we’ve got really good shooters on the team. We’ve got really good passers and it’s going to correct itself.”
Moe Wagner hit 3 of 6 threes, 8 of 14 shots overall and finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Duncan Robinson was just 2 of 13 from three-point range in the previous three games. He hit his first 4 threes Sunday, finished 4 of 7 and contributed 16 points.
“It felt good to see some go in,” he said.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman hit 7 of 8 free throws and added 15 points for the Wolverines.
Happ finished with a season-high 29 points, including 18 after halftime, but made just 12 of 23 shots.
“I was 12 for 23 and I didn’t take a shot outside of the paint,” Happ said. “So that’s not good enough to win a ball game. I couldn’t finish in the first half.”
While the Wolverines were scoring from beyond the three-point line and from inside – three of their first four baskets were in the lane – UW was struggling to score from anywhere.
Happ missed five of his first eight shots and finished the first half 5 of 13, with 11 points.
UW shot just 36% in the opening half as Pritzl (six points), Andy Van Vliet (three) and Davison (two) rounded out the scorers as the Wolverines built a 44-22 lead.
Gard’s fears about UW’s inability to defend the Wolverines came to fruition, but he noted the Badgers’ opportunities to score early to remain close.
“We had the ball point blank several times and we go 5 for 15 in the paint in the first half,” he said. “And when you put that much pressure on your defense and you have a couple mistakes and they get some confidence going, that has a snowball effect.”
The members of UW’s 2007-’08 team in attendance had to appreciate the second-half rally.
But the loss reminded once more how far this team is from contending for a Big Ten title.