The Wisconsin Badgers are facing off against the UCLA Bruins on Tuesday as they continue their January Big Ten slate. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 p.m. at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers are coming off an 89-73
loss to the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers to kick off the new year in a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the score indicated. After a relatively close first half, where the Badgers were down just six at halftime, Purdue blew the game open completely to open the second half, leading by as many as 25 at one point before finally winning by 16.
The loss showcased Wisconsin’s biggest flaws yet again. They were abysmal from three (4/25 three-point shooting), struggled to disrupt defensively, had turnovers, and just had a huge lull that took them out of the game completely.
With the loss, Wisconsin dropped to 9-5 and lost its first home game of the season. Given the trajectory of the season and the Badgers’ lack of big-time wins, their NCAA Tournament hopes are really starting to dwindle.
UCLA, which has started 10-4, has seen some ups and downs, with Mick Cronin getting after his team after a 74-61 loss to the No. 25 Iowa Hawkeyes to open the year. They’re considered a Quad 2 win for the Badgers, who will be at home on Tuesday.
It might be a must-win game for the Badgers, who continue to struggle when facing top competition, as the team is still learning how to play together on both sides of the court. Can Wisconsin come to play?
Join us as our game thread is officially open!
