The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team improved to 15-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten Conference with an 82-76 victory over Northwestern on Tuesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois. Here are my quick thoughts on the game:
What I liked
UW freshman point guard Chucky Hepburn was coming off a couple quiet offensive games, managing three points on a combined 1-for-8 shooting in wins over Maryland and Ohio State.
But Hepburn bounced back in a big way, finishing with 14 points against the Wildcats. That was one short of matching his career high and included a 2-for-3 showing from 3-point range: one was deep and the other was really, really deep, a 60-footer that banked in at the halftime buzzer.
• Big Ten Network analyst Stephen Bardo pointed out on the broadcast that UW sophomore wing Johnny Davis might be the most competitive player in the Big Ten, and that’s not hyperbole.
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After Davis got a bloody nose after a drive into the paint resulted in a no-call, it was pretty predictable what was going to happen next: Davis was going to get the ball and somehow find a way to score. That’s exactly what happened, with Davis’ finish in traffic giving UW a 73-66 lead with 4:27 left.
Davis bounced back from a 4-for-18 shooting performance in a win over Ohio State with an efficient effort: a game-high 27 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
What I didn’t like
UW was just 15 of 26 at the rim, with junior forward Tyler Wahl struggling the most.
The good news for the Badgers: Northwestern (15 of 29) was even worse.
• The Badgers got sloppy in the second half (seven turnovers) and could have made this a much less stressful victory with a much crisper finish.
UW was 2 of 8 from the free throw line in the final minute, with Hepburn and Davis both missing a pair and Wahl going 2 of 4.
What it means
UW is tied for first place seven games into the Big Ten season. Repeat: UW, picked to finish 10th in the conference, is tied atop the standings.
A split this week would have been a solid outcome for UW. Now it can go for a 2-0 week when it hosts Michigan State on Friday night at the Kohl Center.
Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball takes down Northwestern Wildcats in Big Ten battle
Wisconsin guard Brad Davison, left, shoots past Northwestern guard Ty Berry during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin center Chris Vogt, right, dunks against Northwestern forward Pete Nance during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl, right, guards Northwestern guard Chase Audige during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin guard Brad Davison, center, drives to the basket against Northwestern forward Robbie Beran, left, and guard Ty Berry during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl drives to the basket against Northwestern forward Robbie Beran during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn, left, shoots as Northwestern guard Boo Buie watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin center Chris Vogt, left, shoots against Northwestern center Ryan Young during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis, center, passes the ball as Northwestern guard Julian Roper II., left, and center Ryan Young defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin center Chris Vogt, right, blocks a shot by Northwestern guard Boo Buie during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Northwestern coach Chris Collins yells to players during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Northwestern coach Chris Collins, left, questions a call during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Wisconsin won 82-76.
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl, right, grabs a rebound next to Northwestern forward Pete Nance during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Northwestern guard Boo Buie, left, drives to the basket past Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard talks to the team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Wisconsin won 82-76.
Northwestern guard Chase Audige, right, shoots over Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Northwestern players watch during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Wisconsin won 82-76.
A Northwestern fan looks up the scoreboard during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Wisconsin won 82-76.
Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis, center, drives to the basket against Northwestern forward Pete Nance (22) and center Ryan Young, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Wisconsin won 82-76.
Wisconsin guard Brad Davison (34) celebrates his 3-point basket during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis, right, drives to the basket against Northwestern guard Ryan Greer (2) and center Ryan Young during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.
