Senior guard Bronson Koenig scored a team-high 16 points, including 12 in the game’s final six minutes, to lead the Badgers in what turned out to be Wisconsin’s most enthused game of the season. The No. 17 Badgers (4-1 Big Ten, 15-3 overall), led by Koenig and redshirt sophomore forward Ethan Happ, held off the Wolverines (2-4, 12-7), winning 68-64.
As it turned out, the opening two possessions of the first half would be indicative of the first twenty minutes of play. After winning the opening tip, Happ had his layup blocked by Michigan’s D.J. Wilson. Michigan did not capitalize, though, giving the ball right back to the Badgers when Moritz Wagner was unable to corral a teammate’s pass.
What followed in the ensuing 19-plus minutes were similarly minimal offensive fireworks.
Possession after possession, as Michigan tried to penetrate the Badgers’ defense, UW held steady, preventing the Wolverine guards from getting to the rim. They turn the ball over and uncharacteristic six times and shot a mere 32 percent from the field.
The Badgers’ defensive success, though, did not translate to the other end of the floor. UW was only able to muster three points off of Michigan’s miscues as Happ was continuously frustrated by Wagner and Wilson’s length around the rim. Senior forward Nigel Hayes didn’t fare much better, shooting a mere 2-of-8 over the game’s first 20 minutes.
The beginning of the second half looked just like the first. Happ missed two layups on UW’s opening possession, but was able to snatch the ball away from Wagner and eventually find senior forward Vitto Brown for a layup.
Happ picked up his third foul with 17:30 to go in the half and Michigan promptly took advantage. With Happ sidelined, the Wolverines went on an 11-0 run, mostly as a result of Wagner’s play inside, and regained the lead.
Michigan extended the lead to eight with just over 12 minutes to go, but a 6-0 Badger run drew Wisconsin within striking distance.
Happ tied the game with 8:16 to play, but another 6-0 run from the Wolverines put Michigan up six, 49-43. UW would answer with yet another 6-0 run to tie the game with 5:03 left.
While Happ helped the Badgers get back into the contest, it was Koenig who closed the game for UW. He scored ten-consecutive points to give UW a six-point lead with 3:26 to play.
Wisconsin would hang on from there, surviving what would have been an ugly conference loss on their home court.
