Overall: B
If you saw Wisconsin’s shooting stats and compared them to Ohio State’s without seeing what the final score was you likely would have guessed that the Badgers lost.
But the Badgers were able to put together a team victory in order to register what is their most important win of the season to date against the No. 5 ranked team in the nation in Ohio State, which has defeated three teams ranked in the top 10 this season.
What stands out from the Badgers victory against the Buckeyes was the fact that Ohio State got off to such a great start to begin the second half appearing to start to take the momentum back after Wisconsin went into halftime with a four-point lead.
But Wisconsin, like they have done all season, kept fighting and found a way to dig themselves out of the early deficit despite the Buckeyes starting the half on a 13-2 run.
Following Wesson’s layup that gave Ohio State, a 38-31 lead Greg Gard wisely called a timeout. The Badgers responded by going on a run of their own to allow themselves to cut the Buckeyes lead to 45-44 with 8:05 to go in the game.
Over Wisconsin’s run the Badgers defense held Ohio State to shoot 2-for-7 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line compared to the Badgers shooting 6-for-14 from the field. As the Badgers scored on five of six straight offensive possessions to cut the Buckeyes lead to one at 45-44.
With Ohio State’s offense struggling at times to find a rhythm in the second half it was important to try and limit the Buckeyes second chances. Ohio State finished the game with eight offensive rebounds but three of them came in the second half. Not to mention Wisconsin held Ohio State without an offensive rebound over the last 10:15 of the game.
Wisconsin did an excellent job of attacking the glass when a shot went up in the second half against the Buckeyes as 22 of the 34 rebounds Wisconsin collected came on the defensive glass.
Reuvers and Brad Davison each tied for the team lead with five defensive rebounds. Davison who didn’t score against Ohio State attempted four shots but did finish the game with one assist and one steal.
Game MVP: Tyler Wahl
Wahl led Wisconsin with three steals as he played an efficient game for the Badgers on both sides of the floor. Wahl only scored four points as he went 2-for-5 from the field but his seven rebounds were the second most on the team, in addition, he also registered two assists to one turnover in 25 minutes off the bench. Wahl’s second assist of the night came on a made jumper by Reuvers, which gave the Badgers the lead for good at 52-51 with 1:54 to go in the game.
Wahl’s strong play allowed him to play important minutes down the stretch as he closed the game out on the floor only allowing him to gain valuable experience down the road.