Defense: B+
Wisconsin was active on the defensive side of the floor trying to make Ohio State earn each point they received. Considering the 57 points is the fewest scored by Ohio State this season.
Ohio State got off to a hot start to begin the second half as the Badgers fell down by as many as seven points with 16:58 to go in the game as Ohio State went 5-for-6 from the field to begin the second half. In that stretch by Ohio State’s offense the Buckeyes hit a pair of three’s and their other three made field goals came in the paint.
Wisconsin’s defensive ability to hold Ohio State to shoot 5-for-16 the rest of the way allowed for Wisconsin’s offense to have a chance of keeping themselves in the game.
In particular, for Wisconsin, they struggled to defend Kaleb Wesson and Duane Washington Jr. as the two finished the game with 22 and 18 points respectively.
Wesson was able to do his damage on the block as he went 7-for-10 from the field and went 7-for-9 from the charity stripe. While Washington had success from 3-point range as 12 of his 18 points came off of made three’s as he went 4-for-10 from distance.
One area where Wisconsin was able to disrupt the Buckeyes offense was thanks to the Badgers creating extra offensive possessions for themselves as they forced Ohio State into 14 turnovers. Wisconsin was able to turn the Buckeyes miscues into 16 points the most Wisconsin has scored off of opponents turnovers since the game against Indiana (18 points).
Ohio State played eight players against Wisconsin and all eight committed at least one turnover as D.J. Carton led the way with four. Wisconsin was able to register five steals against the Buckeyes with Tyler Wahl leading the way with three.