Overall: A
It was expected that Michigan would make a run either to begin the second half or sometime over the last 20 minutes to cut into Wisconsin’s 10-point halftime lead.
How Wisconsin responded to Michigan’s run was going to be critical.
Whenever Michigan made a run the Badgers had an answer. The Wolverines to begin the second half cut the Badgers lead to 45-43 but the Badgers responded by scoring eight straight points to push it back to 10 points.
After cutting it to as little as two points in the early portions of the second half Michigan was able to get it to as little as three points twice over the final three minutes of the game.
The first time Michigan got it to three points came after a made layup by Simpson to make it 70-67 but Trice came down and knocked down a three to give Wisconsin a six point lead.
After Simpson split a pair of free throws to make it 77-74 Wisconsin with 26 seconds remaining Ford and Brad Davison went to the free throw line and the two combined to go 4-for-4 from the free throw line to ice the game for the Badgers.
Wisconsin finished the game 12-for-15 from the free throw line. As good as Trice was on the offensive end he could have put the game away sooner for the Badgers but over the last 55 seconds of the game he went to the free throw line four times but only made two of his free throws
Game MVP: D’Mitrik Trice
Trice simply was terrific for Wisconsin and for the fifth time this season he led Wisconsin in scoring as he scored a Big Ten season-high 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field. Trice was balanced over both halves as he scored 13 points in the first half on 5-for-7 shooting from the field. Trice was able to hit some critical shots and he was able to set up his teammates too as he finished the game with four assists to three turnovers.