Defense: B
Michigan State was going to find its way of climbing back into the game and go on a run against Wisconsin’s defense. Considering in the first 14 offensive possessions by the Spartans were able to cut Wisconsin’s 16-point halftime lead to three points as they were able to score on 10 of those 14 possessions.
With Michigan State shooting the basketball so well to begin the second half as they shot 8-for-11 from the field. In that stretch for Michigan State, the Spartans were able to create a balance amongst their scoring as they were able to generate paint opportunities and create open jump shots for themselves too.
In order for Wisconsin to hang on the Badgers were going to need to do a better job of closing out on shot attempts by the Spartans. The Badgers were able to make things more difficult for Michigan State down the stretch as the Spartans couldn’t end the second half like they did to begin it. Wisconsin’s defense held Michigan State to shoot 6-for-19 from the field after they cut it to 50-47.
One area where Wisconsin was going to need success was the Badgers ability to limit Michigan State’s second chances as the Spartans finished the game with eight offensive rebounds. Even with the second chances, the Badgers did allow they made sure they couldn’t allow for the Spartans to consistently capitalize as they finished with five second chance points.
Outside of doing well of attacking the defensive glass, the Badgers, in addition, were able to defend the paint well too. Wisconsin’s frontcourt defense did well of making sure the Spartans couldn’t make a consistent living throughout the game as the Spartans finished the game with 18 points in the paint.
Wisconsin was able to do a good job of keeping Cassius Winston out of the paint although he did hit a couple of running jumpers against Wisconsin’s defense. Winston did lead the Spartans with 23 points but he shot 9-for-19 from the field.
Rocket Watts was the only other Spartan to reach double figures with 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting from the field. Xavier Tillman who entered the game averaging 13.8 points per game was held to seven points as Nate Reuvers did a good job of consistently challenging him as he shot 3-for-15 from the field.