MADISON – With a share of the Big Ten Conference still in play, the Badgers needed to win against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday night. In what was a total meltdown, Iowa came away with the win in the last few seconds, winning 59-57.
The Badgers started this one with a bang, with a three from Showalter to get Wisconsin on the board. The home team started hot shooting 3/4, but then missed their next three to lead 7-6 at the first media timeout.
The next four minutes were all Bronson Koenig, who got in the scoring column with a three, and subsequently hit a deep shot from long-range to put the Badgers up 15-11. Jordan Bohannon, younger brother of former Badger Jason, also hit a three during this stretch.
After trailing 23-17, the Hawkeyes went on a 9-0 run to lead 26-23. Senior Peter Jok helped key the run, while the Badgers had three turnovers and went scoreless for nearly a four minute stretch.
But Iowa’s run didn’t stop there.
In an atrocious stretch of basketball for Wisconsin, who went scoreless for nearly seven minutes, Iowa ended the half on a 15-2 run. 64% shooting and seven threes certainly helped the Hawkeyes, but the Badgers couldn’t score, and weren’t hustling like they usually do either.
At the half, Iowa led 32-25, led by 12 first half points from Nicholas Baer. Bronson Koenig led the Badgers with 11 points on three makes from long-range, and a driving layup that ended the deathly scoring drought.
In the first eight minutes, Wisconsin’s defense stepped up, and the offense came alive. Led by seniors Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes, the team opened up the half on an 18-11 run, tying the game at 43.
In the stretch, Hayes became Wisconsin’s all-time leader in made free throws.
The Badgers’ improved play continued, tearing off a 13-4 run to lead 56-47. Jordan Hill was a big key to the run, with a steal and fast break slam to get things going.
Hill’s play sparked the team, as did the play of the team’s big three, Hayes, Koenig, and Ethan Happ. Players were flying on the floor, jumping around, and really putting their bodies on the line in this Big Ten slugfest.
Hawkeyes went on a little run of their own, to bring it within 57-52, with 2:15 left and the ball. It was do or die time for both teams, and Wisconsin got the first stop.
Iowa continued the run, forcing consecutive turnovers, in what turned into mayhem at the Kohl Center, with the score 57-56 and 1:29 left.
With nine seconds to play, Jordan Bohannon hit a three to give the Hawkeyes a 59-57 lead, which would turn out to be the final.
Coach Greg Gard was obviously very disappointed after the game, but did feel that there was some redeeming play by Wisconsin tonight.
“Defensively, we did some really good things to be able to be in a position where we obviously gave ourselves a chance to win, and defensively to be able to hold Iowa to 20-something below their average.”
Part of that great defense in the loss was from redshirt junior Jordan Hill.
“I thought Jordan was good for us tonight,” stated Gard after the gut-wrenching defeat.
“For a guy that hasn’t gotten a lot of reps with me-he’s been playing primarily scout team-to come in that type of situation and do that kind of job (on Jok defensively), it’s a real credit to him.”
A disappointed Nigel Hayes also spoke after the game, and shared his thoughts on the team’s attitude right now.
“As a team, we have our moments where we’re really good and we’ll get maybe five minutes and then we’ll forget what we’re doing for the next five.”
Hayes knows who has to lead the team in that sense as well.
“We’ve got to focus on putting together a full game, and of course that starts with your senior leaders.”
With the Badgers’ loss, Purdue clinched the Big Ten regular season outright. The Badgers will still finish top-4 in the Big Ten for the 16th straight season.
The seniors will have their opportunity, on Senior Day, at home on Sunday vs. Minnesota.