After beginning the game practically on the shoulders of senior forward Jon Leuer, Wisconsin finally found the balanced offensive attack it was looking for en route to a 66-50 victory over Michigan.
Though the offensive burden was on Leuer early as he scored 11 of the Badgers' first 12 points, scoring gradually spread around. Wisconsin trailed by as many as six points in the first half before climbing within two at the break.
At the start of the second half the Badgers attacked from all angles, as junior guard Jordan Taylor led the way with 17 second-half points as Michigan's lead was gone for good just over four minutes into the half.
Though he finished with 20 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 assists, Taylor struggled early on. As has been the case, the junior guard's resurgence midway through the game led a charge that eventually brought the Badger lead safety into double digits for the majority of the second half.
""I think it's just things that came to me a little bit,"" Taylor said. ""I'm just trying to be patient and let the game come to me, and at times when you start trying to force things, it just ends up bad.""
As Wisconsin outscored the Wolverines 40-22 in the second half, Taylor wasn't alone in knocking down shots. Senior forward Keaton Nankivil had yet another good night on both ends of the floor, shooting four-for-eight from the field, including three-for-five from the three point line.
Leuer added 17 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while sophomore forward Mike Bruesewitz added 6 points of his own off the bench, and looked much more comfortable than in recent games.
""All the individuals on the team are trying to contribute,"" UW head coach Bo Ryan said. ""When opportunities arise, when you have guys that are always ready to help, you will always have guys come off the bench and make an impact.""
Even senior guard Brett Valentyn got into the act, contributing 4 points in 11 minutes in what was his first significant action in some time.
""Brett is a great example for all those young guys, in that he's worked hard and gotten a chance to play some,"" Ryan said. ""It only happens through hard work and dedication.""
After shooting just 35 percent from the field Sunday against Illinois, including 28 percent in the second half, the Badgers' 47.7 shooting percentage was no doubt a welcome sight. The Badgers' possessions were longer, their shots more in rhythm and points much easier to come by.
""It's just really hard to guard all those guys when they have four shooters on the floor,"" Michigan head coach John Beilein said. ""They just play with such great poise and experience in passing down a shot that's probably a 30 percent chance to take a 50-50 shot.""
Though the comeback win certainly feels good for the Badger faithful, the test of a road matchup against Michigan State at the Breslin Center lies ahead on Tuesday. With that game against the Spartans followed by another test against Illinois, this upcoming stretch could be a defining one for the 12-3 Badgers.
