The Badgers get a much needed win! It didn’t matter how it got done, all that matters is the Wisconsin Badgers (13-8, 5-6 B1G) are leaving Columbus with a 65-60 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes (11-11, 3-8 B1G). I’m not apologizing to anyone for how wins look.
Despite not making a field goal in the final 7:18, the Badgers dug deep on the defensive end and held off the Buckeyes. The Badgers got the win that they desperately needed in a tough place to play and snapped a three-game losing streak.
Some Wisconsin “fans” are a mood (sadly, I’m related to some of these types of so called UW ‘fans’):
- UW loses = complain and think the system is a failure and sucks despite 20+ years of sustained success with the system.
- UW wins = complain, because it wasn’t the right kind of win.
Log off your phone and/or social media, go outside and clear your head, people. Being miserable all the time has to be exhausting.
I’m happy about a much needed win. Not super impressed with the final five minutes. Happy. You should be happy too. That’s a Quad 1 win.
Connor Essegian finished with a game-high 17 points to go along with seven rebounds. What’s lost in his stat line, particularly in the first half, he played phenomenal defense on OSU’s sniper Sean McNeil.
Some people don’t understand that there’s more to the game than just points/stats and the little things like that are a big deal.
Chucky Hepburn finished with 15 points with three big free throws in the final 30 seconds. Steven Crowl finished with 14 points and nine rebounds and Max Klesmit with 12 points.
Wisconsin played a hell of a first 33 minutes of the game, the ball was moving on offense with the same pop that was characteristic of the early season Badgers. Chucky Hepburn was getting more space to operate with and it was paying off with higher percentage shot attempts. But the empty possessions and free throw line late were almost costly. But the end justifies the means.
Head Coach Greg Gard really shortened the bench tonight, which is typical when February rolls around for any college team. It’s still notable that Jordan Davis played just six minutes and Kamari McGee just five minutes.
The only bench player to see extensive action was Carter Gilmore (18 minutes).
There’s still a lot more out there, a lot more work to do. But this win I feel is getting the Badgers back on track.
I’m getting a lot of 2019-20 UW vibes right now.
Up Next:
The Wisconsin Badgers will host the Northwestern Wildcats (15-7, 6-5 B1G) at the Kohl Center on Sunday, February 5th. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (Central Time) and will be televised on the Big Ten Network (BTN).
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