After a long layoff for final exams, the Wisconsin Badgers (1-1 Big Ten, 6-7 overall) refocused on the coming conference season as they walloped Green Bay (5-8) 81-60 at the Kohl Center Saturday evening.
The result was never in doubt as UW raced out to a 25-9 lead, finding the bottom of the net on its first 10 shots to open the game.
The Badgers were unstoppable in the lane, outscoring the Phoenix 46-14 in the paint as redshirt junior forward Ethan Happ, freshman guard Brad Davison and junior forward Khalil Iverson each scored in double digits. The trio combined to make 19-of-28 shots from the field and all five of their free-throw attempts.
Davison came up big for the Badgers again, as he took a team-high 14 shots and scored a game-high 18 points in just 28 minutes. He was uncharacteristically cold from deep, though, hitting on just 1-of-7 three-point attempts, but made 6-of-7 shots from inside the arc to lead UW.
Happ made seven of his nine field goal attempts and tacked on a game-high eight rebounds.
Alongside the season-long starters, redshirt sophomore guard Brevin Pritzl had a strong all-around performance. Though he made just 2-of-8 shots, he chipped in seven rebounds and a game-high four assists. He played 31 minutes, more than any other Badger, and found ways to contribute all over the court all night.
The story of the night was freshman guard Walt McGrory, who set numerous career highs in 21 minutes of action. After just two minutes of game time in UW’s previous matchup, McGrory played half the game and registered four points — all on free throws — six rebounds and an assist.
UW took its first lead on a three-pointer from redshirt freshman forward Aleem Ford just 17 seconds into the game, and wouldn’t relinquish that advantage for the rest of the night en route to the 21-point victory.
Despite the blowout nature of the win, former starting forward Andy Van Vliet played just two minutes in garbage time. There is perhaps no more damning indictment of his future in Madison, as seven forwards saw more court time than the Belgian 7-footer.
Next on the docket, the Badgers welcome Big Ten whipping boy Chicago State (2-13) Wednesday night. In three games against Big Ten teams thus far, the Cougars have lost by an average of 55.7 points.
Tipoff from the Kohl Center is set for 8 p.m.
