The Wisconsin Badgers fell short against the Indiana Hoosiers in a Big Ten showdown Saturday, as Indiana pulled out a 78-77 victory in a controversial overtime finish. Nolan Winter led the way for the Badgers with a career high 26 points, but his performance ultimately was not enough to put Wisconsin over the top.
The game will be remembered by a series of controversial calls late in overtime that went against the Badgers. With under 20 seconds remaining and the Badgers clinging to a one point lead, guard Nick Boyd attempted to dribble out the clock, while Indiana was attempting to foul him to stop the clock. But Boyd, dribbling through Indiana defenders was called for an offensive charge, giving possession to Indiana. With 15 seconds remaining, Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson began to bring the ball down the lane when John Blackwell was called for his fifth foul of the game with two seconds remaining. The foul brought Wilkerson to the free-throw line, where his two made free throws were the ultimate difference.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard said after the game.
Indiana jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, before Boyd hit two 3-pointers to cut Indiana’s lead to one point.
But the Hoosiers controlled the first half as Wisconsin’s offense stumbled out of the gate, a continuing recent trend for the Badgers. Indiana’s defense was smothering, forcing Wisconsin into rushed possessions and late shot attempts, while the Hoosiers hit shots on the other end. Indiana led 36-30 at halftime.
Indiana’s lead continued to grow for much of the second half, as Indiana’s Conor Enright and Tucker Devries pushed the Hoosier lead to 13 points, 52-39, with 13 minutes to play. But Wisconsin stayed persistent, and after 3-pointers from Boyd and Braedon Carrington, the Badgers were back within five points with eight minutes to go.
Wisconsin continued to hang around, and trailed only 66-62 with five minutes to play.
After a 3 from Boyd and free throws from Carrington Wisconsin took their first lead of the game, 69-68, with 1:49 left with a Blackwell midranger. Blackwell was dynamic in the second half, scoring 16 of 18 points after halftime, willing the Badgers back into the game.
A couple of possessions later, Nolan Winter hit a huge three to put Wisconsin ahead by four with 58 seconds to play.
Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson proceeded to bring the ball down the court, and with the Hoosiers down by two, drew a foul by senior guard Andrew Rohde, sending him to the free-throw line, where he tied the game. Blackwell then had a chance to win the game with a midrange jumper, but missed just to the right, sending the game to overtime, where the Badgers succumbed.
Junior forward Nolan Winter led the game with a career high 26 points and added 12 rebounds. He was a constant presence throughout the game, attacking aggressively in the paint while also making an impact from 3.
The dynamic duo of Blackwell and Boyd shined in this game as well. Although Blackwell had a slow first half, he gained his footing in the second half, and was instrumental in helping the Badgers comeback to lead the game into overtime. Although he shot only 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, he used his inside game to his advantage. Boyd, on the other hand, struggled as Indiana’s defense prevented him from easily driving. He ended the game with 20 points and six assists.
After the loss, Wisconsin now heads into its toughest week of the season, with games at No. 8 Illinois on Tuesday, and vs. No. 10 Michigan State at home on Friday. Michigan State beat Illinois 85-82 on Saturday.
