The Wisconsin Badgers once again couldn’t find the bottom of the net as it drops its third consecutive game, a 59-41 defeat to the Michigan Wolverines. It is the first time since the six game losing streak during the 2008-09 season the Badgers have had three consecutive losses. With the loss, the Badgers drop to a record of 12-5 as well as a disappointing 1-3 Big Ten record. Michigan improves to 13-3 and is now 3-1 in Big Ten play. The loss snapped Wisconsin’s 10-game winning streak over Michigan.
The Wolverines started out fast, scoring 10 of the first 12 points scored in the game. The Badgers battled back and took the lead on a layup by Jordan Taylor. The lead didn’t last long as Michigan dominated the rest of the half and led 25-19 at the break. Wisconsin was ice cold to start the second half as well, missing its first seven shots of the half as Michigan scored the first seven to take a 32-19 lead, forcing a timeout by Wisconsin.
After a 3-pointer by Traveon Jackson to cut the deficit to 36-26, Michigan went on another seven point run to give Michigan a 43-26 lead.
The Badgers tried to battle back, cutting the deficit to 12, but they would get no closer as Wisconsin was held to a season-low 41 points in the defeat.
Taylor led the Badgers with a dozen points, but went just 5-15 from the field and turned the ball over three times. Ryan Evans collected a team-high 10 rebounds, but added just six points on 3-9 shooting. Ben Brust was the only Badger to make more than 50 percent of his shots, as he went 2-3 from the floor with all three shots coming from behind the arc.
The Badgers shot a miserable 31.4 percent, which comes on the heels of 33 percent and 35 percent shooting performances against Michigan State and Iowa, respectively. Wisconsin also had a total of six assists on the game, with half of those coming from Mike Bruesewitz.
Tim Hardaway Jr. led the game with 17 points and he added 10 rebounds as well. Trey Burke and Zack Novak chipped in with 14 as 12, respectively. Jordan Morgan led the game with 11 rebounds as Michigan controlled the glass, out-rebounding the Badgers 34-27. The Wolverines also shot 20 free throw attempts and made 17 of them, while the Badgers only got to the free throw line five times and made just two.
Wisconsin will try to end the losing streak Thursday when it plays at Mackey Arena against Purdue. The Badgers have had their share of struggles there, having won just once there in their last 35 games played there.
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