NASSAU, Bahamas — The College of Wisconsin males’s basketball workforce wasn’t in a position to overcome Kansas’ stellar offensive presence, ending the Badgers’ hopes for an opportunity on the Battle 4 Atlantis title.

The No. 3 Jayhawks constructed their lead as much as 15 factors within the second half, however a late offensive push from the Badgers tied issues up at 48-48 with simply over eight minutes to play in regulation.

Tyler Wahl went on a 6-0 run to present UW its first lead of the second half at 61-60 with 49 seconds left, however Kansas’ Kevin McCullar hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds to go to pressure extra time.

Wahl scored 5 factors within the further interval, together with a layup with 20 seconds left that put UW (4-1) up 68-67. Kansas (6-0) responded as soon as once more as Bobby Pettiford hit a last-second layup for a 69-68 win.

See the place Wisconsin males’s basketball will head subsequent November

Issues have been trying good to begin the sport because the Badgers protection was giving the Jayhawks some bother. As soon as Kansas began hitting pictures, there wasn’t a lot UW may do and Kansas took a 33-20 lead into the half.

Wahl scored 14 factors within the second half en path to a team-high 23 factors on the day. Connor Essegian and Max Klesmit have been the one different two Badgers to attain in double figures, ending with 17 and 13, respectively. The Badgers shot 38.7% from the sphere.

Kansas’ Jalen Wilson led all gamers with 29 factors because the Jayhawks matched the Badgers’ capturing share at 38.7%.

UW will play within the third-place sport towards both Tennessee or USC at midday Friday.

Listed below are three issues that stood out:

UW’s protection held sturdy, holding Kansas to only 2-for-16 capturing till after the second media timeout of the sport. The Jayhawks offense awoke after that with Gradey Dick hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to kick off the run.

It is all fingers on deck for Wisconsin males’s basketball within the Bahamas

Wilson and Kevin McCullar went a mixed 7-for-17 to assist the Jayhawks construct their 13-point lead on the half. Wilson led the workforce with 10 factors, adopted by McCullar and Dick with 9 factors every. The closest Badgers within the first half have been Essegian and Klesmit, each with six factors earlier than the half.

The Jayhawks have been held to an uncharacteristic 37.5%, however restricted UW to 30.8% within the first half.

Kansas was operating away with the sport within the second half when Essegian hit a clutch 3-pointer to chop the Jayhawks’ result in eight factors with 14:25 remaining. That play instantly adopted a defensive play wherein the freshman drew a foul on Kansas’ Dajuan Harris.

Essegian grabbed a steal and drew a foul to present UW an opportunity on the offensive finish. He compelled Kansas’ KJ Adams to lose management of the ball on the subsequent defensive possession, forcing one other turnover on Kansas. 

Freshman brings confidence, self consciousness to Wisconsin males’s basketball

He hit back-to-back pictures — a 3-pointer and a jumper — to tug Wisconsin inside only one level with 8:55 left in regulation. Essegian’s move to Carter Gilmore within the paint gave UW its first lead of the second half at 52-50.

Essegian grabbed a significant defensive rebound with 23.9 left in regulation after which hit a pair of free throws to present UW a 63-60 lead within the remaining minute of regulation.

Chucky Hepburn could have scored sooner than he did in Wednesday’s win over Dayton, however his so-called “off day” has now prolonged by three video games.

He tried to heave the ball up for a remaining shot at successful in extra time however the buzzer sounded because it fell quick. It was much like a shot Hepburn made to beat Purdue final season.

Ep. 27 BadgerExtra podcast: Previewing the Battle 4 Atlantis

Hepburn added his first two factors 9 minutes into the sport, however would solely add 4 extra by the tip of extra time. He shot 2-for-9 from the sphere, whereas hitting his solely 3-point try of the day. He additionally led the Badgers with three of their six turnovers — lots of which have been uncharacteristic for the sophomore.

Hepburn has now shot 5-for-28 since UW’s win over UW-Inexperienced Bay on Nov. 15.