Unraveling Wisconsin Basketball's Recent Downfall
Turnovers Decided the Contest
Saturday's game clearly showed the impact of turnovers. Wisconsin turned the ball over 16 times in total, with eight coming in each half. This directly led to 16 Marquette points. While the Badgers shot the ball well enough to potentially win, their sloppy handling of the ball in the early second half created a significant deficit. Wisconsin entered the game ranked 11th in the nation with only 9.3 turnovers per game, but this area clearly defined their sub-par performance on Saturday.
It's crucial for the Badgers to address this issue and improve their ball security in future games. Turning the ball over so frequently gives the opposing team easy scoring opportunities and can often be the difference between winning and losing.
Wisconsin Had No Answer on Defense
Traditionally, Wisconsin has been known for its strong defense. However, this year, that emphasis seems to have shifted. Against Marquette, Kam Jones dominated on both sides of the court, finishing with 32 points, six assists, four steals, and two rebounds on 12-of-21 shooting and 3-of-7 from three. His performance highlighted the Golden Eagles' shooting efficiency, with the team shooting 50% as a whole.
Wisconsin made several attempts to gain momentum in the second half, but their defense couldn't build on it. This shows that they need to find a way to improve their defensive performance and stop opponents from scoring so easily.
Kam Jones Finally Beat the Badgers
Saturday's result was significant not only for the current season but also in terms of the series history. Wisconsin's three-game win streak over the rival was snapped, and Marquette's seniors, led by All-American guard Kam Jones, achieved their first win in the series. Fourth-year head coach Shaka Smart also had a reason to celebrate.
For Wisconsin, this is a wake-up call. They need to regroup and come back stronger next year to start a new winning streak. The series has not seen a four-game win streak since 1998-01, and the Badgers will need to work hard to break that drought.
Another Second-Half Loss
An important note from the game is that it was another poor second half for Wisconsin. Marquette's 51-35 margin in the second half means that the Badgers have been outscored by a combined 25 points by the Golden Eagles and Michigan Wolverines in the past two games. This troubling trend is one that they need to address as they face more tough matchups ahead.
It's clear that the Badgers need to find a way to play better in the second half and not let opponents pull away. Consistency throughout the game is crucial for their success.
Wisconsin Wasted Max Klesmit's Resurgent Shooting Performance
Max Klesmit led the Badgers with 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting from three-point range. It was his first double-digit output since the team's win over UT-Rio Grande on Nov. 18. His return to form is great news for the team, but it's a shame that the team as a whole couldn't build on his hot shooting.
The Badgers need to find a way to get their other players involved and make better use of Klesmit's scoring ability. If they can do that, they have the potential to be a much more dangerous team.
Zero Offensive Impact from Wisconsin's Big Men
Steven Crowl finished Saturday with only two points on 1-of-4 shooting, and Nolan Winter had just seven points on 3-of-4 shooting. While Crowl did grab 11 rebounds, including four offensive rebounds, the Badgers didn't make enough of an effort to feature their big men on the offensive end.
Marquette outscored the Badgers 44-28 in the paint, which was a significant difference in the game. The Badgers need to find a way to incorporate their big men more effectively into the offense and take advantage of their size and strength.
Now, the Badgers must regroup with a big road test at No. 19 Illinois on Tuesday and a tough neutral site showdown against Butler next Saturday. Wins in these games will be crucial as they look to carry momentum into the holiday break.