Wisconsin basketball, fueled by strong second half, defeated Minnesota 80-59.
Wisconsin basketball led by just one point at halftime. However, a 22-3 run midway through the second half locked up a victory for Wisconsin. The Badgers improved to 13-3 with the win and have a strong case to re-enter the Top 25 for the first time since early December. The Golden Gophers fall to 8-8 with the loss and are now 0-5 in conference play. Many experts predicted Minnesota to sit in the basement in the Big Ten, and just five games into conference play, that prophecy is ringing true.
Takeaway #1: Wisconsin’s offense is humming
Before we dive into this game, let’s take a step back. Wisconsin is averaging 83.1 points per game this season. Last year, that number was 74.7. Two years ago? 65.3. Now, yes, that number is usually higher early in the season having played weaker non-conference opponents, but nonetheless, Wisconsin is boasting one of the best offenses in the country, which very few people expected coming into the season.
Against Minnesota, Steven Crowl (18 points), Kamari McGee (15 points), and John Tonje (16 points) carried most of the offensive workload. The Badgers shot the ball well, knocking down 11-of-28 (39 percent) of their three-pointers. The Badgers continued to get to the free throw line, going 19-for-24 as a team. That has been an area of success, as Wisconsin is over 85 percent as a team from the free throw line, and averages over 18 made free throws per game. Those are some impressive numbers.
Takeaway #2: Kamari McGee should be a starter
Kamari McGee and Max Klesmit are two very different players. McGee takes very few shots, averaging just 6.5 points per game, but is highly efficient. McGee is 53.7 percent from the field this season and is making a whopping 55.2 percent of his three-point attempts. On the other hand, Klesmit is averaging 10.5 points per game, but is just 33.1 percent from the floor and 28.9 percent on his three pointers.
It is not as if McGee has been short on playing time this season. He has been averaging 21.9 minutes per game off the bench. However, if your head Coach Greg Gard, why not switch it up? A change of pace could be a good thing for Klesmit, who could be a very important piece in Wisconsin’s postseason run.
Takeaway #3: Dawson Garcia did not have much help for Minnesota
It is no secret that the Minnesota Golden Gophers are largely a one man show. Garcia averages 18.2 points per game, and he had 22 against Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin did not go out of their way to shut down Garcia. Instead, they stayed true defensively and made sure that his teammates were forced into difficult shots. Dawson Garcia was 8-for-17 from the field. The rest of the team? Just 14-for-40 (35 percent).
Next up for Wisconsin (13-3, 3-2): vs. Ohio State (10-6, 2-3) – Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. CST
Next up for Minnesota (8-8, 0-5): at Maryland (12-4, 2-3) – Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. EST