Wisconsin basketball improved to 3-0 on Sunday as they defeated the Appalachian State Mountaineers by a final score of 87-56.
The Wisconsin Badgers fought past another slow start in which they fell behind 17-8 to the Mountaineers.
Wisconsin saw strong play from across the starting 5, and got an additional boost off the bench from Xavier Amos, who recorded 10 points in 12 minutes of playing time.
Wisconsin’s defense stood strong throughout the contest, as Appalachian State shot just 38% from the floor.
Takeaway #1: Wisconsin’s 24-point run highlighted their defense, and won them the game
Wisconsin’s first-half run flipped this game on its head.
The Badgers went from trailing 17-8 to taking a 32-17 lead. Across this run, they made 15 consecutive stops, forcing six turnovers as the Mountaineers went 0-for-10 from the field over that span. It was Wisconsin’s biggest run in a game since they scored 25 straight points against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2020.
Takeaway #2: Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard has made efficiency a point of emphasis
Following Wisconsin’s win over Montana State, Greg Gard noted that 75 of their 79 points came at the rim, from the free throw line, or from beyond the arc.
In Wisconsin’s win over Appalachian State, 85 of their 87 points came in the paint, at the free throw line, or from three-point land. Gard is highlighting the importance of offensive efficiency to his squad, discouraging the mid-range twos.
Takeaway #3: This was a very clean game from Wisconsin
Wisconsin played disciplined basketball throughout the contest.
Wisconsin committed just six turnovers but managed to force 18 turnovers. They won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Appalachian State 43-36. 14 of those rebounds came offensively. Nolan Winter was a difference maker for the Badgers, totaling 10 points, and had 6 offensive rebounds.
The Badgers spread the love, with five players scoring 10 or more points. They were slightly subpar from three (8-for-28), but still managed to shoot 47% from the field as a team.
Overall, this was a Wisconsin team that took care of business against a less talented opponent.
Next up for Wisconsin (3-0): vs. Arizona (2-0) – Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. CST (9 p.m. EST)
Next up for Appalachian State (1-2): vs. Queens (2-0) – Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. EST