After Friday’s loss to Rutgers, Wisconsin hoped it could bounce back in Lincoln, Nebraska as both Wisconsin and the Nebraska Cornhuskers needed a win in the Big Ten. Badgers had very dim chances of making the NCAA Tournament, but a key road win could have helped their cause. Once again, the problems stood out like a sore thumb for this team as the Cornhuskers won 63-59 in a game where it wasn’t that close down the stretch.

Badgers three-point shooting woes continue
Another game, another bad three-point night for Wisconsin. After making the first two of the evening, the Badgers would only get three the rest of the game, and two came in the waning moments of this game. Wisconsin is in a slump from deep, and that’s bad news for this team. They cannot get a second scorer to compliment Ethan Happ on the perimeter, therefore, Nebraska can crowd the paint. What’s weird is they have guys that can shoot like Brevin Pritzl and Brad Davison, but shots are not falling right now.

Cornhuskers bench provides a boost that the Badgers does not
When it came to bench scoring, Wisconsin got outscored 20-3, and that’s not a good sign for this team. As the season goes on, you’d hope that one or two guys off the bench would provide a second scoring unit, but it’s clear Wisconsin doesn’t have that. Aleem Ford went 1-for-7, but Greg Gard truly played only six deep in this game despite a few others getting into the game.

Difference was the free throw line
From the outside, people might wonder how Wisconsin lost with making five more shots than the opposition, but the proof is in the free throw line. Wisconsin only made four three throws to the Cornhuskers 21. That’s a 17 point difference at the free throw line. Badgers need to do a better job of getting to the line and attacking the paint. This swung the game in Nebraska’s favor.

Next up
Things do not get easier for Wisconsin as they head home to greet number five ranked Purdue who escaped Michigan with a victory. Happ will have his hands full inside next Tuesday night when the big men of the Boilermakers come to town. Wisconsin is going to need their best effort of the season to win.

Charlie.