In a season defined by scoring records, win streaks and plenty of adversity, No. 9 Wisconsin (12-5 Big Ten, 25-5 overall) wrapped up its final home game with a team victory over Purdue.
“I think we were all focused on getting the job done because we know how much that makes it better for the seniors and then everyone collectively as a whole,” senior guard Ben Brust said.
The Badgers avoided another slow start Wednesday night and came out energized, working the ball around the perimeter and patiently finding open looks.
Earlier this week freshman forward Nigel Hayes said UW needed to stick to its defensive principles to be successful. The Badgers did exactly that, while Purdue struggled to get anything going in its set offense.
“We’ve always tried to attack them in transition. We’ve always tried to attack when we’ve had angles,” Purdue head coach Matt Painter said. “But once we went against their set defense, if you want to go quick on them, you are going to play right into their hand.”
Midway through the first half UW paved its way to a double-digit lead, 19-8.
Purdue shot only 38.7 percent in the first half, while Wisconsin shot 48.3 percent from the floor and was 4-for-7 from beyond the arc.
Two of those 3-pointers came from junior guard Traevon Jackson, who led UW in scoring at the break with 12 points.
The Badger defense held the Boilermakers to only 24 first-half points, while holding sophomore center A.J. Hammons to only four. Wisconsin scored 20 points in the paint and were 0-for-6 from 3-point range.
Wisconsin controlled the majority of the first-half momentum and led 35-24 at the half.
Purdue looked to Hammons early in the second half, but the Badger defense refused to let him get into any type of rhythm.
UW also looked to their big men, with Hayes and junior forward Frank Kaminsky carrying much of The Badgers’ second-half production.
Kaminsky finished the game with a team-high 22 points and continues to be a nightmare for opponents. He was 8-for-11 from the floor with only 28 minutes of play.
“Frank [Kaminsky] has done a really good job of taking what the defense gives him,” Painter said. “He does a good job picking his spots and anytime you can shoot it 11 times and get 22 points, that’s pretty efficient.”
In a game where the Badgers held a double-digit lead for the majority of the time, Purdue was able to claw their way back to within seven points with just under five minutes to play.
The Badgers would hold on to win, 76-70.
As requested by the always loud and excited Grateful Red, seniors Evan Anderson and Zach Bohannon checked into the game in the final minute. The two seniors, along with senior guard Ben Brust, were sent off with a standing ovation.
“Last year it was kind of tough sending the seniors out on a sour note and we didn’t want that to happen again,” Kaminsky said.
