In Greg Gard’s first official game as head coach, Wisconsin face-planted to a 70-58 loss to Nebraska in Indianapolis.
The Badgers only shot 30% from the field, as players not named Ethan Happ (5-11) and Vitto Brown (5-7) shot 6-35 from the field. With a 4-20 showing from the three-point line, Wisconsin could not get anything going from the get-go.
Wisconsin struggled mightily in the first half, hitting only 7 field goals and turning the ball over 7 times. Vitto Brown was 5-5 from the field, including 3-3 from three, scoring 13 points. The rest of the Badgers were 2-19 in the first half. Tim Miles’ different defensive looks, both man-to-man and a 2-3 zone, mixed up the Badgers. Nebraska took a 26-21 lead into halftime.
Gard’s team came out in the second half attacking the rim, but Nebraska took advantage of the Badgers’ defensive breakdowns. Shavon Shields (20 points) and Glynn Watson, Jr. (16 points) dominated Wisconsin’s guards and took advantage of weak post defense.
With 30 points in the paint to Wisconsin’s 18, Nebraska looked like the better team throughout. The Badgers will now head into Selection Sunday with expectations for a 7,8, or 9 seed after losing two straight.
The Badgers, who looked tired at times on Thursday night, will enjoy their week off and hope to get it together for March Madness.