Wolverines Dominate Badgers in Thrilling Victory!

Michigan basketball had an opportunity for revenge against the Big Ten team that can solely boast about beating the Wolverines this season. Wisconsin shocked the maize and blue at Crisler Center in January, giving Michigan its first loss of the season. The two teams matched back up in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, and though the game started at Michigan's pace, neither team was able to finish at the rim, with the first under-16 media timeout holding a 3-2 Wisconsin lead.

Two minutes later, it was tied 6-6, with the Badgers shooting 18% and the Wolverines shooting 25%. Wisconsin took a 9-6 lead with 12:45 remaining in the first half, with all three of its shots made being 3s. Elliot Cadeau answered to tie, but the Badgers countered with yet another 3.

At the under-12 media timeout, it was a 12-9 Wisconsin advantage. With 10:22 left in the first half, Wisconsin had a 5-point lead, 16-11, and still had yet to score anything but a 3-pointer, with one free throw added for good measure. Less than a minute later, the Wolverines had yet to score, shooting 27% from the floor, and the Badgers got something other than a 3 (a breakaway layup) to push the lead to seven.

Will Tschetter answered with a 3, and Roddy Gayle was fouled after a steal and breakaway, with his two free throws getting Michigan back to within two. Both teams continued to turn the ball over, with Wisconsin having six and Roddy Gayle giving Michigan its seventh. Aleksas Bieliauskas hit his third 3 to push the Badger lead back to five.