It wasn’t the perfect 40 minutes we saw over the weekend in against Louisville, but it was a win for Wisconsin over Nebraska to open Big Ten play. The Badgers ultimately cruised to a 67-53 victory that was tougher than that score shows.
The Huskers came out of the gates playing aggressive defense with their mobile, lengthy lineup. Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg and crew came in with an excellent strategy against the swing principles that Wisconsin likes to run. By fronting the Badger bigs and guards in the post and preventing easy touches inside, the Huskers confused Wisconsin early and led 13-5 at the under eight timeout.
Shooting 16-25 (64%) from three, as Wisconsin did against Louisville, was not going to be the standard every night, although the Badgers then found the law of averages on their side after a cold start. A few threes started to fall and the Badgers found themselves right back in it. Tough defense kept them around, as it almost always will, and UW took an improbable 25-24 lead into the halftime break.
The Huskers had their chances to create separation, but 4-13 from three in the first half and 9-27 (33%) overall canceled out an incredible defensive effort.
Wisconsin adjusted offensively near the end of the half and into the second primarily with the guards attacking the paint. The Badgers were able to get penetration from Johnny Davis, Brad Davison, and others that opened up everything else on that end.
A 12-0 second half run ignited by Micah Potter and Brad Davison saw the Badgers cruise for the final 12 minutes and change. Davison found his stroke, going 3-4 from three in the second frame and finishing with 11 points in the half alone. The senior guard ended with a game-high 15 for UW.
In the end, the Huskers failing to create needed separation through the first 20 minutes came back to bite them when Wisconsin got back to the ball and body movement we are accustomed to seeing.
Next up for the No. 9 Badgers is No. 12 Michigan State on Friday in East Lansing. Wisconsin improved to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten.