Defense: D
Wisconsin’s defense couldn’t make the winning plays when they needed to down the stretch in order to close the game out and push their winning streak to five games.
After Potter’s made free throws to give Wisconsin a 63-56 lead, the Illini closed the game by shooting 5-for-6 from the field, which includes making four straight 3-pointers.
Alan Griffin was responsible for the first two made three’s as his second one tied the game at 63. Trent Frazier made the third three with 1:54 to go in the game, giving the Illini their first lead of the game at 66-65 since the 6:59 mark in the first half. Ayo Dosunmu concluded the four straight made three’s when he connected with 46-seconds to go, which gave Illinois a 71-67 lead.
Illinois finished the game 7-for-16 from three and before the Illini finished the game on a hot streak from three they were 3-for-12 from distance.
What changed for Illinois down the stretch?
Part of it was ball movement and the Illini creating an open shot from distance against the Badgers defense as Dosunmu registered an assist on three of the four made 3-pointers.
It also had to do with Wisconsin trying to make sure Illinois couldn’t get a high percentage shot around the rim. Considering 30 of Illinois’ 71 points came in the paint.
Cockburn was one of the main reasons why Illinois was able to have success in the paint. Despite dealing with foul trouble he finished the game with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field.
Dosunmu did a great job of setting up Illinois offense and helped make sure they were able to generate high percentage shots around the rim as he finished the game with a team high six assists to one turnover.
Dosunmu led Illinois in scoring with 18 points on 7-for-15 shooting from the field. Griffin was the only other player for Illinois to reach double figures with 12 as he went 4-for-5 from the field and 3-for-4 from 3-point range.
Overall, Illinois shot 28-for-57 (49.1 percent) from the field and only turned the basketball over seven times, which Wisconsin turned into six points.