BadgerBlitz – Quick Hits: Wisconsin Suffers Crushing Overtime Loss at Nebraska

A 17-point lead on the street towards one of many backside three groups within the Massive Ten is often a assured victory for the College of Wisconsin. Not this 12 months.

The Badgers imploded down the stretch and fumbled away alternatives in time beyond regulation, resulting in a demoralizing 73-63 time beyond regulation loss to Nebraska at Pinnacle Financial institution Area.

A 12 months after stopping the Badgers from clinching the outright convention title on the Kohl Heart, the Huskers (12-14, 5-10) seemingly put a nail in Wisconsin’s NCAA Event at-large hopes due to Keisei Tominaga. Held to 5 factors at halftime, Tominaga scored 17 of his game-high 22 factors after halftime.

He had loads of assist, as Derrick Walker (18 factors), Sam Griesel (15), and Jamar Lawrence all reached double figures to present the Huskers their largest comeback win of the season, surpassing the eight-point comeback towards Arkansas Pine-Bluff in November.

It’s the second time in 9 days the Badgers (14-10, 6-8) held a six-possession lead towards one of many 4 groups beneath them within the convention standings, solely to seek out themselves in a battle late. However whereas Wisconsin’s 18-point lead towards Ohio State was solely whittled to 1, it wasn’t almost as lucky the second time round.

The Huskers’ 20-2 run gave them their first lead with 11:14 remaining and the 2 groups exchanged the lead 5 occasions with 4 ties from that time ahead.

Wisconsin had an opportunity to win the sport on the finish of regulation however Chucky Hepburn’s step-back three-pointer clanged off the iron.

The Badgers scored on the primary possession of time beyond regulation however dedicated turnovers on the subsequent three possessions that led to Nebraska area targets. Abruptly in scramble mode, the Badgers’ subsequent three possessions had been one-and-done with three-point misses.

Hepburn scored 19 factors, Connor Essegian completed with 13, and Max Klesmit scored 10 of his 12 within the first half.

What it means: After capturing a season-best share on Wednesday, Wisconsin regressed backward on a 36.2 p.c capturing afternoon. UW hasn’t gained consecutive video games because the starting of January.

Star of the sport: Nebraska reserve ahead Blaise Keita scored solely two factors in 23 minutes, however he completed with 11 rebounds and two steals, making life depressing for UW forwards Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl. Nebraska outscored Wisconsin by 20 when he was on the ground.

Stat of the sport: Wisconsin was 1-for-8 from the sector in time beyond regulation.

Motive to be Involved: Every thing.

Don’t overlook: Wisconsin hasn’t crushed a Energy-5 convention crew by greater than 10 factors all season.

What’s subsequent: The Badgers being a three-game homestand when it hosts Michigan Tuesday night time (8 p.m./ESPN2). Led by first-team all-conference heart Hunter Dickinson (18.0 ppg/8.5 rpg), the Wolverines (14-10, 8-5) had gained a league-best three straight heading into the weekend. Wisconsin is 15-3 at dwelling towards Michigan since 2000, together with final season’s 77-63 victory that was marred by head coach Juwuan Howard’s slap of UW assistant Joe Krabbenhoft within the post-game handshake line. The Badgers will see the Wolverines twice in a 12-day interval, touring to Ann Arbor on February 26.