Madison, WI — In their third game in five days, the Wisconsin Badgers won their second game in a row 78-64. The Badgers forced 17 turnovers while only committing 6, and shot 43.9% from the field. Wisconsin also outrebounded North Dakota 40-31, including 16 offensive rebounds.
All five starters scored in double figures, with Ethan Happ and Bronson Koenig leading all scorers with 17 points each. Happ’s total was his career high and he also had 7 rebounds (5 offensive) on the night. Koenig added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and only a single turnover. Nigel Hayes struggled from the field, only going 4-13, but he managed to score 11 points to go with 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and no turnovers; Hayes still hasn’t turned the ball over through three games. Vitto Brown and Zak Showalter added 12 points and 5 rebounds and 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively, and the bench actually only had 11 points on the night.
Going into halftime, the Badgers led 35-22, forcing (and mainly benefiting from) 11 North Dakota turnovers. The team only shot 36.8% in the first half, but outrebounded UND 26-17, gathering 10 offensive rebounds with 6 assists and 3 turnovers. Brown was not able to stay out of foul trouble, resulting in his benching for the last 11:02 of the half. Happ led all scorers 11 points to go along with 6 rebounds. Happ also had a spectacular play off a steal that included a behind-the-back dribble and emphatic dunk. In the second half, Brown and Happ would get into some foul trouble, but the Badgers still took care of business, shooting the ball much better than the first half at 53.6%.
Before the game, it was announced that freshman Andy Van Vliet’s appeal to the NCAA to redshirt was denied, making him ineligible for the 2015-16 season. Van Vliet will lose one of his four years of eligibility, leaving him with only three years left at Wisconsin. He will be allowed to practice with the team, but he cannot travel.
After the game, Bo Ryan explained his take on the Van Vliet case, “You know how I am with some of those other rules. But this one, it doesn’t make any sense.” Ryan also noted that guard Brevin Pritzl’s foot didn’t feel well today, and he told the coaching staff that he didn’t feel comfortable playing.
Wisconsin will head to New York City to take part in the “Championship” portion of the 2K Classic, as they’ll face off against Georgetown at 4:00 PM CT on Friday. The winner of that game will face off against the winner of VCU and Duke on Sunday at 12:00 PM CT.
Tomorrow, I’ll have player grades and advanced statistics breakdown on tonight’s game, as well as an overall look at the team through its first three games.
Image via University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Department.