Defense: B
Wisconsin’s defense in the first half made it easy at times for Nebraska to produce points. Considering 20 of the 38 first-half points that were scored came in the paint. In addition, Nebraska made five three’s and was able to convert on three old fashion 3-point plays.
Due to Wisconsin allowing Nebraska to generate high percentage shots in the first half allowed for the Cornhuskers to shoot 44.1 percent (15-for-34) from the field.
Part of the reason why Nebraska had success around the rim in the first half was that Reuvers picked up two first half fouls over the first four minutes and 17 seconds of the game.
With Reuvers having to sit out the rest of the first half and him doing a better job of staying out of foul trouble in the second half the same opportunities that once were there around the basket were gone.
Nebraska only scored 14 points in the paint in the second half to give them 34 in the game. But Wisconsin held them to 7-for-19 on their paint shot opportunities, which includes them missing six straight shots around the rim.
Although 19 of their 31 shot attempts came in the paint in the second half the Badgers were able to consistently challenge the shots without fouling. Wisconsin finished the game with four blocks as three of them came over the final 20 minutes as the Cornhuskers finished the game 25-for-65 (38.5 percent) from the field.
Nebraska only put two players in double figures as Hannif Cheatham led the way with 17 points but 13 of those points came in the first half and Dachon Burke was the only other Cornhusker to finish in double figures with 10 points.
Trice who drew the defensive assignment of defending Nebraska’s leading scorer Cam Mack succeeded in his defensive assignment. Trice was able to hold Mack to just eight points on 3-for-13 shooting from the field. Mack did register eight of Nebraska’s 15 assists but five of those eight came in the first half.
Mack didn’t commit a turnover but Wisconsin was able to force the Cornhuskers into 10 turnovers, which the Badgers cashed into 11 points.