Quick Hits: Wisconsin Grinds Past Michigan, 64-59
MADISON, Wis. – Connor Essegian wasn’t going to let another second-half lead slip away for the University of Wisconsin.
Seeing he and his teammates give back nearly all of a 12-point lead by going stone cold from the floor, the freshman delivered on his free throws to score a career-high 23 points to lift the Badgers to a 64-59 victory over Michigan at the Kohl Center.
Steven Crowl added 11 points and 12 rebounds in yeoman’s work playing against Michigan junior center Hunter Dickinson, who had 12 points and was held without a field goal in the second half.
Max Klesmit added 10 points for Wisconsin (15-10, 7-8 Big Ten), which won despite missing its final 14 shots from the field over the final 10:45.
Guard Kobe Bufkin had 21 points to lead Michigan (14-12, 8-7), which is 3-16 at the Kohl Center since 2000.
The play in the low post, particularly in the second half, was a big difference for the Badgers. After going 3-for-10 in the first half around the rim, UW was 6-for-13 in the final 20 minutes and converted eight second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds, tying a season high.
Both teams combined to miss 17 field goals over a 6 minute, 58 second stretch. Nine of those misses came from the Badgers, which couldn’t get their jumpers or perimeter shots to fall but finally found success from the line. UW went 7-for-8 from the line in the final 44 seconds and 14-for-18 for the game, the most free throws the Badgers have made in a game since December 6.
What it means: Wisconsin continues to alternate wins and losses in the month of February, but the Badgers won a bubble matchup.
Star of the game: Kamari McGee had played more than five minutes in only one Big Ten game and hadn’t played more than 11:53 all season. The sophomore played a season-high 14 minutes and had six points, a rebound, and an assist.
Stat of the game: As much as Wisconsin struggled offensively down the stretch, the Badgers made it tough on Michigan and held the Wolverines to just two of their final 11 shots.
Reason to be Concerned: Two scoring droughts were costly for Wisconsin, going 1-for-9 in the final 5:21 of the first half and missing 15 straight to end the game isn’t sustainable for winning basketball.
Don’t overlook: Chucky Hepburn finished 1-for-9 from the field but the sophomore’s steal off Dug McDaniel with 16 seconds left and UW up four sealed the victory.
What’s next: Wisconsin’s three-game homestand continues when it hosts Rutgers Saturday morning (11 a.m./BTN) in the only meeting between the schools. After not making the NCAA Tournament since 1991, Steve Pikiell had Rutgers (16-10, 8-7) on pace to make the tournament for a third straight season, although the Scarlet Knights have lost three straight that include a 10-point home loss to Nebraska Tuesday. Rutgers has lost four straight road games. Junior center Clifford Omoruyi leads Rutgers in points, rebounds, and blocks. The Badgers are 7-4 against Rutgers since 2015.
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