Wisconsin overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Indiana 71-61 on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center. The Badgers did not have the services of starting shooting guard Brevin Pritzl, who missed the game after suffering a head injury in shootaround.
Wisconsin forward Ethan Happ finished with a season-high 28 points to go with 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Brad Davison, who was held scoreless in the first half, tallied 14 points. Khalil Iverson had 10 points and Aleem Ford finished with 9 points.
Wisconsin trailed Indiana 33-30 at halftime and didn?t take the lead for good until Happ?s layup put the Badgers ahead 46-45 with 13:21 remaining in the game. The Badgers toughed it out the rest of the way.
?In terms of the toughness factor, that needs to be our identity,? Badgers coach Greg Gard said afterward. ?That?s something that we?ve shown in spurts, but we haven?t shown consistently enough at times. Part of it is guys that are going through a growing process and the understanding and appreciation of how important that aspect is. It?s not always pretty, but there?s times where you have to get gritty and grimy and gut things out, find a way.?
Aaron Moesch and T.J. Schlundt are former walk-ons who have since earned scholarships. Walt McGrory is a freshman walk-on who burned his redshirt because of Wisconsin?s depth issues. None of those players was supposed to see significant minutes this season.
But on Tuesday, that trio combined to play 49 minutes. Moesch played 25 minutes and scored 2 points. Schlundt played 20 minutes and scored 3 points, while McGrory was held scoreless in 4 minutes.
Gard used seven players for double-digit minutes, and the only two off the bench were Moesch and Schlundt. Gard was particularly pleased with Moesch?s performance. Before Tuesday, Moesch hadn?t played more than 8 minutes in any game this season. His previous career high had been 13 minutes two seasons ago against Indiana.
?He understands who he is,? Gard said. ?He?s been around. He?s a team guy first. He can guard multiple positions. ? He understands what we?re about, and he bleeds Wisconsin red, that?s for sure.?
Ford has buried 14 of 21 3-point attempts (66.7 percent) and become the team?s top offensive safety valve on the perimeter. Ford was at it again Tuesday, when he made 3 of 6 3-pointers.
This season, Ford has made 24 of 50 3-point tries (48 percent). At 6-foot-8, Ford is a versatile player who can impact the game in a number of ways. But his best attribute during his redshirt freshman campaign has been shooting. Eventually, Ford will be able to diversify his offensive game. He has attempted only 22 2-pointers. For now, however, his outside shooting stroke has been enough to provide the Badgers with a dynamic they desperately need.
Five of Wisconsin?s next six Big Ten games come on the road, and the game at Rutgers represents one that appears winnable. Rutgers has nonconference losses to Stony Brook and Hartford.
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Wisconsin forward Ethan Happ finished with a season-high 28 points to go with 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Brad Davison, who was held scoreless in the first half, tallied 14 points. Khalil Iverson had 10 points and Aleem Ford finished with 9 points.
Wisconsin trailed Indiana 33-30 at halftime and didn?t take the lead for good until Happ?s layup put the Badgers ahead 46-45 with 13:21 remaining in the game. The Badgers toughed it out the rest of the way.
?In terms of the toughness factor, that needs to be our identity,? Badgers coach Greg Gard said afterward. ?That?s something that we?ve shown in spurts, but we haven?t shown consistently enough at times. Part of it is guys that are going through a growing process and the understanding and appreciation of how important that aspect is. It?s not always pretty, but there?s times where you have to get gritty and grimy and gut things out, find a way.?
Aaron Moesch and T.J. Schlundt are former walk-ons who have since earned scholarships. Walt McGrory is a freshman walk-on who burned his redshirt because of Wisconsin?s depth issues. None of those players was supposed to see significant minutes this season.
But on Tuesday, that trio combined to play 49 minutes. Moesch played 25 minutes and scored 2 points. Schlundt played 20 minutes and scored 3 points, while McGrory was held scoreless in 4 minutes.
Gard used seven players for double-digit minutes, and the only two off the bench were Moesch and Schlundt. Gard was particularly pleased with Moesch?s performance. Before Tuesday, Moesch hadn?t played more than 8 minutes in any game this season. His previous career high had been 13 minutes two seasons ago against Indiana.
?He understands who he is,? Gard said. ?He?s been around. He?s a team guy first. He can guard multiple positions. ? He understands what we?re about, and he bleeds Wisconsin red, that?s for sure.?
Ford has buried 14 of 21 3-point attempts (66.7 percent) and become the team?s top offensive safety valve on the perimeter. Ford was at it again Tuesday, when he made 3 of 6 3-pointers.
This season, Ford has made 24 of 50 3-point tries (48 percent). At 6-foot-8, Ford is a versatile player who can impact the game in a number of ways. But his best attribute during his redshirt freshman campaign has been shooting. Eventually, Ford will be able to diversify his offensive game. He has attempted only 22 2-pointers. For now, however, his outside shooting stroke has been enough to provide the Badgers with a dynamic they desperately need.
Five of Wisconsin?s next six Big Ten games come on the road, and the game at Rutgers represents one that appears winnable. Rutgers has nonconference losses to Stony Brook and Hartford.
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