Badgers control second half, advance to Big 10 Tournament Quarterfinals
Having lost three of their final five regular season games, the Badgers had plenty to prove against Northwestern. They answered the call, notching a seven-point win and leading for 29 minutes. It was a much-needed bounce-back win and an opportunity to bring some momentum into the weekend.
Nolan Winter and John Tonje tied for the team lead in points with 18. Tonje also tied for the lead in rebounds with seven while accruing two steals and committing zero turnovers. Nick Martinelli finished with 22 points of his own and was Northwestern’s only consistent source of offense.
The victory advances Wisconsin into the quarterfinals of the Big 10 Tournament, where they’ll face the fourth-seeded UCLA Bruins on Friday afternoon
Second Chance Points Keeps Offense Afloat Early
Wisconsin had been in a slump for a handful of games and came out cold Thursday, starting 2-for-9 from the field with four turnovers in just under nine minutes of action. Then, they turned their focus to the glass. The Badgers’ next four baskets were second-chance points, turning a three-point deficit into a five point lead with eight minutes to play. 12 of Wisconsin’s first 24 points were second chance points.
Overall, Wisconsin didn’t shoot it with great efficiency, hitting on 41.5 percent of their field goal attempts and 32.0 percent from the three-point line. Additionally, the Badgers suffered multiple lengthy scoring droughts. While it was nice to see them pick up the slack via offensive rebounds, the Badgers can’t afford to endure many cold spells against UCLA on Friday
Defense is peaking at the right time
At certain points this season, defense felt like a clear weakness for Wisconsin. Down the stretch of the regular season — save for an ugly loss to Penn State — the Badgers turned up their defensive efforts and boosted their defensive metrics. Before Thursday’s win, Wisconsin was ranked 36th in defensive rating via kenpom.
They were particularly impressive against Northwestern, holding players not named Nick Martinelli to 13-of-40 shooting while forcing 14 turnovers, eight of which came off steals. The Wildcats shot just 34.6 percent from the field in the second half, allowing Wisconsin to pull away.
Nolan Winter is an X Factor
Winter’s impact was undeniable Thursday as a rebounder, defender and scorer. The sophomore forward notched a team-best positive 22 plus-minus and got to the free throw line at will. Winter had just five field goal attempts but cashed in on nine of his 10 shots at the charity stripe. He posted a pair of big putback baskets early in the contest and notched a pair of steals across 26 minutes.
While his season-long stat line isn’t gaudy, Winter’s individual success often coincided with team success. Wisconsin boasts a 12-1 record in games where Winter scores in double figures and shoots 50 percent or better from the field. The only loss? A Feb. 22 overtime defeat at the hands of Oregon at the Kohl Center in which Wisconsin led by as many as 17.
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