The Wisconsin Badgers handled business Tuesday night at the Kohl Center, rolling past Central Michigan in a dominant 88-61 win that never felt in doubt. From the opening tip, it was clear this was going to be a one-sided affair - and the Badgers made sure of it with a first-half surge that set the tone early.
A 9-0 run midway through the first half helped Wisconsin build a 12-point cushion by halftime, and they never looked back. The Badgers controlled the tempo, dictated the pace, and played with the kind of physicality and focus you'd expect from a team looking to bounce back and re-establish momentum.
By the time the second half hit the 10-minute mark, Wisconsin had pushed its lead to 29 - and that opened the door for some of the younger faces on the roster to step into the spotlight. Enter freshman guard Zach Kinziger, who made the most of his extended run in the closing minutes.
Kinziger’s moment came with just over 10 minutes to play. Positioned on the left wing, he caught a pass from sophomore guard Jack Janicki and calmly buried a three - the first points of his college career.
The bench reaction said it all. His teammates erupted, celebrating the milestone with the kind of energy that reminds you how much these moments matter, even in a blowout.
And it wasn’t just a one-way highlight. Earlier in the game, Kinziger had returned the favor, feeding Janicki for a layup on a previous possession. It was a small sequence, but one that showed the chemistry and unselfishness Wisconsin is trying to build deeper down its roster.
By the final buzzer, Kinziger had logged 13 minutes, finishing with six points on 2-of-4 shooting - all from beyond the arc - along with two assists and a rebound. Not a bad night for a freshman still finding his footing, and certainly a confidence boost as he continues to carve out a role in a deep rotation.
For Wisconsin, the win moves them to 8-4 on the season and snaps a recent skid. It also gives them a chance to reset as they prepare for another in-state matchup on Dec. 30, when they’ll host the Milwaukee Panthers. It’s another opportunity to fine-tune things before the Big Ten grind really kicks in.
But for now, Tuesday night was about taking care of business - and celebrating a few firsts along the way.