Has the Kohl Center lost its mystique? Kohl Center used to be one of the toughest places to play in college basketball. Teams did not go in there and win regularly. At multiple times since the inception of the Kohl Center, Wisconsin have had a long home winning streaks. Now, they have their second straight season where they have lost two straight at home. This is the third year in four years where it happened to Wisconsin. This is an unfortunate loss due to what’s ahead for Wisconsin. Purdue isn’t a top team this year besides Carsen Edwards and he carried them to an overtime victory against the Badgers. Wisconsin falls to a 3-2 conference record.

Player of the Game:Carsen Edwards – Save his awful airball with a minute left in regulation, Edwards had himself a fucking game. He finished with 36 points with six made threes. Edwards shoots a bunch, but he’s all Purdue has right now. The Boilermakers guard is so good and tough to defend. Part of me thought the Badgers perimeter could hang with him, and that didn’t happen. He is definitely the frontrunner for the Big Ten player of the year with Ethan Happ not far behind him.

Silver Star: Ethan Happ – What was great about this game is both stars showed out in a big way. Ethan Happ finished the game with 31 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Dude looked dominant against Purdue’s big men. He finished making 14-for-17 shots. Could you imagine Happ’s stat lines if he could actually make free throws? He only missed three of them this game, but there are others where Happ would have even bigger numbers. Naturally, Happ did miss a big free throw in overtime, but that’s been an issue all year.

Thing I liked: Wisconsin rose from the floor – This could have been a blowout loss for Wisconsin. Purdue jumped out to an early start, and Badgers are not one of those teams to comeback from a major deficit. Granted, eleven points isn’t that much, but for Wisconsin, it is for them. They did a good job battling back in this game. And it felt like they were always trailing yet somehow, Badgers got this to overtime.

Thing I didn’t like: What’s worse? Free throws or turnovers – Badgers couldn’t make a free throw again last night. Badgers also couldn’t hang on to the basketball. Badgers fans will wonder what if on both of those things. If they don’t turn the ball over as much as they did (A season-high 17) especially Happ who had nine, they win this game. If they make more free throws (11-for-19), they win this game as well. That’s a frustrating thought for Wisconsin.

Next up: Things do not get easier for Wisconsin as they head to Maryland on Monday night. Happ versus Bruno Fernando is worth the price of admission. With Michigan looming next weekend, this is a borderline must-win for Wisconsin. A good win versus the Terrapins would be great for their suddenly bubbling resume.

Charlie.