Defense: C+
It was only fitting that Davison who registered the critical steal off of Maryland’s inbounds play with 12 seconds to go also knocked down the game-winner.
Davison on the steal played it really well. Tyler Wahl was defending the inbounder along the baseline. The pass was intended for Anthony Cowan but Davison was able to cut in front of it and made sure the basketball deflected off of the Terrapins in order for Wisconsin to regain possession.
It marked Davison’s only steal of the game as he was one of five players to register a steal for Wisconsin as the Badgers were able to force Maryland into 14 turnovers as Wisconsin turned the Terrapins miscues into 12 points.
Although Wisconsin was able to disrupt Maryland’s offense at times the Badgers did struggle to defend the paint as Maryland finished the game with 22 points in the paint.
Jalen Smith’s dunk with 1:31 to go in the game to put Maryland up 54-to-51 was set up thanks to an assist by Cowan. It was just one example of Cowan finding a way to set up his teammates for success on the offensive end.
Cowan finished the game with three assists to one turnover as the combination between him and Smith were responsible for 34 of Maryland’s 54 points as the two shot a combined 13-for-25 from the field. Aaron Wiggins was the only other Terrapin to reach double figures with 13 points as he went 3-for-6 from 3-point range.
Overall Wisconsin’s defense was able to hold Maryland to shoot 19-for-47 (40.4 percent) from the field and 7-for-22 (31.8 percent) from three.