Three Things: Wisconsin Basketball vs. Iowa

Wisconsin basketball needed to get back in the win column against Iowa at home on Wednesday night.

Every game is a must-win moving forward for the Badgers, and thanks to some great defense and lackluster shooting from the Hawkeyes, Wisconsin got it done 64-52.

Here are three things from the win.

Defense and Luck?

Wisconsin basketball indeed prides itself on the defensive end. Tonight, an excellent combination of good defense and Iowa not being able to hit the broad side of a barn led to Iowa only scoring 52 points. For a team that averages 80 points per game, holding them to only 52 is why the Badgers won. Kris Murray, who averages 20 points per game, was held to just 5 points tonight.  Iowa is one of the worst teams in the country regarding point differential at home versus on the road. I say Wisconsin got lucky because, at times, Iowa had fantastic wide-open looks for some of their shooters, and they couldn’t buy a bucket. The Hawkeyes shot an abysmal 3/27 from three.

Connor Essegian Record

Connor Essegian was so close to some Wisconsin basketball history tonight. He tied Brad Davison for most three-pointers in a Freshman season. Connor has been more fantastic for Wisconsin this season than any Badgers fan or coach could imagine. He deserves that record, and I assume we will see it broken in the next game. Essegian finished the night as the leading scorer with 17 points. I love when he is aggressive and hunting for his shot; Wisconsin’s offense is better when he does.

March Madness?

According to bracketologists, Wisconsin basketball entered tonight as one of the first teams out. Every Big Ten win will help push them closer to making the big dance. The remaining schedule for Wisconsin sees Michigan, Purdue, and Minnesota. They will be dancing if Wisconsin beats Michigan and Minnesota and wins at least one game in the Big Ten tournament. A win versus a top-ranked Purdue team will automatically get the Badgers in. All in all, a handful of “what if” games have truly hurt Wisconsin basketball this season and has left no room for error to end the season.

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