Sports
Wisconsin men's basketball at Michigan State score, analysis – BadgerExtra
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Wisconsin men’s basketball freshman John Blackwell continues to impress as he contributed 10 points in the Badgers’ road win over Michigan State.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team weathered another second-half eruption to win its third straight trip to the Breslin Center — a program best as it was 14-50 in East Lansing, Michigan prior to the streak.
The No. 23 Badgers continued to tear through its most difficult stretch of the season, dominating the Spartans for stretches in a 70-57 win Tuesday. Behind guard AJ Storr matching his Badgers career high with 22 points, Wisconsin won its sixth straight Big Ten Conference opener, and finished off consecutive wins over teams receiving votes in the Associated Press rankings just three days removed from a stunning upset win over then-No. 3 Marquette at the Kohl Center.
It heads to Tucson, Arizona Saturday to play the No. 1 Wildcats in a position seemingly unimaginable when it lost two games in a row against Tennessee and Providence, which was in an uninspiring effort. But Wisconsin (7-2, 1-0 Big Ten) hasn’t lost since.
“Coming off the (National Invitation Tournament) run, I knew that we’re gonna be able to just come out with some momentum,” Chucky Hepburn said. “The first few games that we lost, I wasn’t too worried about because it was still early in the season.”
Wisconsin shot 45.1% and 43.5% from 3, again winning at the free-throw line, hitting all 14 of its shots from the stripe for an eight-point advantage.
The Badgers had a welcome start from 3 to begin the half, getting two from forward Steven Crowl (already a season high) then a third from Hepburn as part of an 11-2 start. Michigan State’s first make was a thunderous one: A second-chance dunk from center Mady Sissoko. But the Spartans didn’t score for another 4 minutes, 36 seconds.
The Badgers’ early hot start (and 6-of-13 first half from 3) was enough to give it a comfortable cushion for the entirety of the first 20 minutes. Wisconsin collected four steals as Michigan State (4-4, 0-1) turned the ball over seven times, which led to 12 points. Storr, who had 12 first-half points, went on a 7-0 run on his own over 1:16 and Michigan State could only get within five as it made its final three field goals of the half to cut it to 28-23 with 2:26 left.
But Michigan State didn’t attempt a shot for the remainder of the half as it turned the ball over twice in that span. The first turnover came on a shot-clock violation. The second came on a play when the Spartans could have held close to the final shot of the half. Instead, Max Klesmit intercepted a baseline pass and, on the other end, Storr drained a left-wing 3-pointer to give Wisconsin a 34-23 halftime lead.
Wisconsin guard John Blackwell falls with the rebound next to Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
“Walkthrough, shootaround, just everybody locked in,” Storr said, “so I knew we were going to have a good game.”
But after the Badgers built a 13-point lead near the start of the second half, Michigan State’s offensive explosion came. The Spartans went on a 19-9 run to cut Wisconsin’s lead to three points. Wisconsin had its silencers: Freshman John Blackwell got fouled on an offensive rebound putback. Connor Essegian curled for his fourth 3 of the season. Tyler Wahl hit a step-back jumper as the shot clock expired. But on the road, all that seemed small beneath the explosions of a Tyson Walker 3, then another, then another which led to the Spartans pulling within 54-50 with 8:28 left.
But Wisconsin, as it did against the Golden Eagles, stayed steady. Storr missed a deep 3, but then made one from that same spot. Klesmit had to force a 3 as the shot clock was expiring, but Wahl smacked the offensive rebound away and passed out to Storr, who drained another 3 to make it a 59-50 lead for the Badgers again.
Wisconsin was back in a rhythm, growing its lead to as much as 13 as Michigan State missed four shots in a row on a 9-0 run ended by another Walker jumper to cut the Wisconsin lead to 63-52 with 3:38 left.
But then on the other end, Crowl got another open look from the top of the key. He drained it to, and he sent Spartans fans for the exits. The Badgers were up 66-52 and well on their way to a sixth straight win.
“I’m going to state the obvious,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. “Obviously, a terrific win against a really, really good team.”
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo shows displeasure after a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Here are three things that stood out.
Wisconsin has started a few games with a Crowl 3-pointer over the past few seasons — usually a good omen for the Badgers. And that’s how Tuesday began. But, to this point of the season, that’s all that Crowl has provided from a standpoint of contributing from that range. His season-high attempts were two entering Tuesday with one make in three different games. But with 17:58 remaining in the first half still, Crowl rose for his second 3 and made it.
Crowl’s 3-point surprise was part of an 11-2 start for Wisconsin. He handed off to Hepburn, who made a 3 of his own for the Badgers next points, then Storr got fouled and made two free throws. Crowl has been dominant of late, scoring double-figures in four of the Badgers’ last five contests with averages of 13 points and 9 rebounds in the stretch. But the 3-point explosion Tuesday was a bonus. He added another one as the shot clock was expiring late in the half to help Wisconsin sustain its lead. He finished with 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and hit all four of his 3-point attempts.
“For anyone, just seeing a couple shots going in, getting to the free-throw line, make a couple free throws,” Crowl said, “it might be a good night with when you see the ball go in.”
Storr looked totally in control, even when he seemed like he might lose it. Early in the second half, Storr made one of the hard drives to the rim that have been a work-in-progress for the sophomore transfer. He left his feet off the burst, needing to adjust to his right hand with an up-and-under as he soared beneath the rim. Earlier in the season, those were shots that Storr missed with relative consistency. But Tuesday, he calmly switched hands and hit the layup off glass to give him 14.
Storr was on fire in the first half, going on a 7-0 run all by himself and connecting on his first three shots in a quick burst of offense for the Badgers. But he also showed some growth in his overall offensive game. He followed the circus layup by handling the ball calmly on the perimeter the next possession, dishing to Crowl for a floater layup. Storr finished with five rebounds and a steal to add to his scoring, continuing to grow in his first season with Wisconsin.
“AJ having (a) really good night where Max (Klesmit) led us the other night against Marquette,” Gard said, “I think the mark of a good team is having different guys at different nights step up.”
When Tyson Walker curled up to the right wing, the Breslin Center was ready for it. And when he hit his third 3 in a row, the arena exploded. As part of a 19-9 run after Wisconsin built a 40-27 lead early in the second half, Michigan State hit five 3s. For Wisconsin, it was a familiar story, as it allowed Marquette to go on a 12-0 run extended through halftime and into the second half of its upset win over the Golden Eagles on Saturday.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn plays during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
“Whenever you’re playing against good teams and, specifically, when you go on the road,” Gard said, “you have to be able to control tempo.”
Wisconsin has had some difficult stretches at times this season, against top-notch opponents and its mid-major opponents at home, but in the midst of a critical three-game stretch, the droughts have been more glaring. The Michigan State explosion was sparked by its shooting as the Spartans seemed to get to every spot they wanted to over that span after they missed a few open looks in the first half.
“Last year, we wouldn’t finish some of these games,” Crowl said. “Just constantly being honest about having that mental toughness, physical toughness to finish games.”
Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) makes a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) drives next to Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) drives during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore (14) and Michigan State guard Tre Holloman (5) reach for the rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin guard John Blackwell falls with the rebound next to Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) attempts a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit (11) reaches in on Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3) as they chase the loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn plays during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard (11) shoots over the defense of Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard (11) shoots over the defense of Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo shows displeasure after a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo yells from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard (11) runs into the defense of Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) is defended by Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) is defended by Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (25) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) drives around Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) brings the ball up court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
UW men’s basketball reporter
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Wisconsin men’s basketball freshman John Blackwell continues to impress as he contributed 10 points in the Badgers’ road win over Michigan State.
The Badgers are in the rankings for the first time this season, and will have a date with the new No. 1 team in the nation.
College athletes can advertise that they want to find a new school in the transfer portal. Here’s what it looks like.
The Badgers made a statement in finishing off No. 3 Marquette with a collective effort. Wisconsin showed its growth and maturity.
The Badgers built up a 16-point lead in the first half but the Golden Eagles climbed back into it. Here’s what stood out.
Max Klesmit shined for the Badgers in the first half as they built a big lead, and eventually held off Marquette’s charge.
The Badgers’ next three games provide opportunities for key wins but also can put them in a tough spot. Wisconsin isn’t looking at it that way.
The Badgers’ guard has focused on efficiency with his shots, which has shown between a pair of 22-point performances nearly a month apart.
Karley Marotta lost one of her biggest supporters as she was about to embark on a journalism career. Here’s how she still honors him.
John Blackwell is the son of a former Big Ten player, and a chance encounter partly led him to being an impact freshman for the Badgers.
Playing in Las Vegas, Arizona and Florida was a catalyst in Storr’s recruitment. It led him to St. John’s and eventually Madison.
BadgerExtra columnist Jim Polzin answers questions from readers in his weekly mailbag.
Wisconsin guard John Blackwell falls with the rebound next to Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo shows displeasure after a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn plays during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)