As March looms, teams are gearing up for the NCAA Tournament, aiming for more than just a fleeting appearance. However, Wisconsin's recent 85-71 defeat at Oregon signals a need for recalibration. With a Big Ten matchup against Washington on the horizon, the Badgers are searching for answers.
Sitting at 19-9 overall and 11-6 in the Big Ten, Wisconsin struggled defensively, allowing Oregon to shoot a scorching 70.8% in the second half. Offensively, they faltered too, hitting just 22 of 66 field goals and a mere 14 of 45 from beyond the arc. This marks their second consecutive road stumble, following a tough 86-69 loss at Ohio State, where they trailed 38-26 at halftime and let the Buckeyes shoot 54.4% from the field.
Coach Greg Gard didn’t mince words: "When you keep playing like that, you won't play long."
Key players like Nick Boyd, who leads the team with 20.2 points and 3.9 assists per game, John Blackwell (18.7 ppg), and Nolan Winter (13.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg) are crucial as the Badgers aim to tighten their defense.
Meanwhile, Washington (14-14, 6-11) is riding high after a 79-72 victory at Rutgers, spearheaded by freshman sensation Hannes Steinbach. His 24 points and 16 rebounds marked his 17th double-double of the season, tying him for third in Division I and setting a high bar for Big Ten freshmen since Jared Sullinger.
Steinbach is making waves with averages of 18 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, standing out in Division I. His performance is a cornerstone for Washington, as praised by coach Danny Sprinkle: "I'm so proud of these guys. The fight after the tough loss, they came together."
Supporting Steinbach, Zoom Diallo contributes 14.7 points and 4.3 assists per game, while Wesley Yates III adds 13.4 points, fresh off a 19-point, six-assist game at Rutgers.
As Wisconsin and Washington prepare to clash, both teams are eyeing improvements and momentum, making this matchup one to watch closely.