The University of Wisconsin basketball team, known as the #Badgers, faced a tough start with a 0-6 record but managed to turn things around. Despite struggling with their three-point shooting, they rallied to win against SMU, with Klesmit and Hepburn making crucial plays. The team's performance improved in the second half, achieving a 69-61 victory. The Badgers showcased their free-throw accuracy, hitting 12 of 13 attempts and maintaining a season mark of 73.8%. In a subsequent game against the Gophers, the Badgers' strong ground game led to a 28-14 win, securing their 6-0 record when rushing for 139 or more yards. The victory also prevented the Gophers from reaching a bowl game.
Ugly start to this half for #Badgers. Have two turnovers in six possessions. Lead is just 10 with 15:20 left.
#Badgers' offensive flow this half not nearly as good as it was to start the game.
Two of #Badgers' first three shots this half have been threes.
#Badgers give up an offensive rebound and basket and then a transition dunk. Started well early . This half not as much.
Nice set play for #Badgers to end half. Hepburn drives and dumps off to Crowl. His first shot denied, but he gathers and scores. UW 35-19 at break. UW 3-7 from deep, 12-23 overall and 8-10 from FT line.
#Badgers 8-10 from FT line this half.
#Badgers workmanlike tonight vs. team they should handle. UW 28-12 with 3:57 left. UW 2 of 4 from deep, 10 of 16 overall and 6 of 8 from the FT line.
#Badgers 13-4 with 11:28 left in half. UW has exhibited patience on offense. Could have taken a bunch of early looks from the perimeter but have worked for better shots. UW 2-3 from deep and 5-9 overall.
#Badgers 7-2 lead early. They hit first three shots, two in the lane and then a three-pointer from Storr.
#Badgers gained 64.8% of their yards – 267 of 412 – on the ground. That was the highest percentage of the season. The No. 2 mark was 62.4% vs. Buffalo (314 rushing, 503 total).
Once they got done spotting their opponents early leads, #Badgers played two very encouraging games in wins over Nebraska and Minnesota. Run game sparked the offense. Defense toughened up after first quarter.
#Badgers 28-14. Allen 26-165 rushing; Mordecai 9-69 rushing. UW had 412 total yards -- 267 on the ground and 145 through the air.
Wisconsin beats Minnesota to keep the Gophers out of a bowl game. Good news for JMU and Jax State.
#Gophers (5-7, 3-6) lose their fourth straight to end the season as Minnesota falls 28-14 to Wisconsin. They'll now play the waiting game tonight to see if they'll be in a bowl game at 5-7. Big offseason ahead of Fleck and company.
#Badgers Ricardo Hallman with excellent coverage in the end zone on fourth and 9. Incomplete. UW ball with 10:16 left.
#Gophers offense showing some life, as they've got it 1st-and-10 at the Wisconsin 28. Couple of third down conversions on this drive.
End third quarter: Wisconsin 28, @GopherFootball 14.
#Badgers 28-14 after three. I don't think Minnesota folks will be playing Jump Around at the end of this game.
#Gophers now down two scores as Wisconsin caps off their 10-play drive with play-action that the Gopher linebacker doesn't read quick enough. 28-14 with 10 seconds left in the third quarter.
Wisconsin has taken a 28-14 lead over Minnesota with seconds left in the third quarter. The Gophers need a comeback if they want to go to a bowl game.
#Badgers have 309 yards of offense: 199 rushing and 110 passing.
#Badgers’ record when rushing for 139 or more yards is 6-0. When they rush for 104 or less, it is 0-5. Badgers have 199 and counting today against Minnesota.
Gophers force Wisconsin to punt from its 48, and Minnesota takes over it its 9.
Halftime observations from #Badgers-Gophers. Wisconsin offense looking good, defense making a few too many mistakes. If the trend of better second halves continues, the Badgers probably reclaim the Axe. https://t.co/Q8zqb60Kl0
#Gophers and #Badgers are tied at halftime. Wisconsin gets the ball to start the second half. https://t.co/IoSZ585SsO
#Badgers Allen with 88 yards on 15 touches -- 12-61 rushing and 3-27 receiving.
Gophers go three-and-out after Wisconsin TD, and Badgers take over at their 26 after Mark Crawford's 51-yard punt.
#Badgers faced third and 2 from their 27. Moredecai hit Nowakowski in the flat but Vinny Anthony couldn't block his guy on the edge and the play gained 1 yard. Punt. Gophers start at midfield after a 22-yard return.
#Badgers get one first down and have to punt. Gophers start from their 14.
#Badgers' defense sleep-walking early again. Gophers drive 72 yards in just six plays for a TD.
#Gophers Game Day Preview: Gophers vs. #Badgers - Game info - Five things you need to know - Wisconsin players to watch - Keys to a Gopher victory - And my score prediction as Minnesota attempts to win the Axe three years in a row https://t.co/0dbGwM8H5L https://t.co/5rVqCX1h2b
Game Preview: #Gophers vs. #Badgers - Game info - Five things you need to know - Wisconsin players to watch - Keys to a Gopher victory - And my score prediction as Minnesota attempts to win the Axe three years in a row https://t.co/0dbGwM8H5L https://t.co/HNnOUiMPaM
A couple follow-up notes from #Badgers hoops: UW hit 12 of 13 FTs to push season mark to 73.8%. UW finished at 1.150 points per possession after slow start. UW was just .828 in first half but white-hot 1.552 in second half.
For those keeping track at home: #Badgers hit 12 of 13 FTs tonight to push their season mark to 73.8%.
#Badgers Klesmit had eight points in a 2:29 span to help UW close to within 50-49. Hepburn had a three and a three-point play in a span of 44 seconds to give UW a 55-53 lead. AJ Storr's drive/dunk gave UW the lead for good, 59-57.
#Badgers trailed by 10 when Greg Gard called at TO with 13:07 left. UW rallied from that point to win, 69-61. UW in second half: 4-10 from deep, 15 of 28 overall and 11 of 12 from FT line. Gritty-ass victory.
#Badgers take first lead
SMU hits another three for a 10-point lead. SMU 8-11 from deep. #Badgers take a timeout with 13:07 left.
#Badgers 1-17 from three.
#Badgers give up a drive, a missed FT, offensive rebound and hoop in final seconds. SMU 32-24 at the break. Brutal last few seconds for UW.
#Badgers starters have missed 15 of 18 shots.
#Badgers down, 22-15, with 3:58 left. UW 1-13 from deep and 7-28 overall. SMU with a 12-point edge from three. Mustangs 5-7 from deep.
#Badgers were down 15-4 but the bench has lit a spark. Essegian with a three and a jumper; Blackwell lob to Winter for a slam. SMU 15-11, UW ball OB with 11:31 left after a steal by McGee.
#Badgers 0-4 from deep and 1-10 overall. SMU 6-2 lead with 16:00 left. UW ball OB. Blackwell just came in for Storr.
#Badgers 0-6 start.
One thing you notice about #Badgers John Blackwell on offense: He is getting more comfortable from three and tonight when a UVA defender closed out on him out of control, Blackwell drove it, drew a foul and hit both FTs to give UW a 46-35 lead. Just a smart play.