Written by BTN.com staff[ RELATED: Vote: Which Wisconsin dunk was best? ]
It was a stunning performance from a team that scored just 47 in the previous game against Nebraska, but a supposedly slow and methodical team locked into a higher gear and ended the suspense almost as soon as the game began.
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Illinois-Wisconsin game highlight:
D.J. Richardson pokes it loose, slams it down:
Jared Berggren slams home powerful two-hander:
Traevon Jackson drives for two point:
Jared Berggren throws down impressive alley-oop:
Jared Berggren block sets up Sam Dekker transition bucket:
FINAL: Wisconsin topped No. 13 Illinois on Saturday, pulling the 74-51 upset at the Kohl Center in Madison. Illinois (14-4) could not keep up with Wisconsin (12-4), as the Badgers cruised to the win behind 49 percent shooting. Jared Berggren had a big game, with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Ryan Evans shot 4-of-5 from the field and scored 10 points. The Badgers were on fire from beyond the arc, shooting 42 percent (10-of-24). Wisconsin was able to secure 19 offensive boards. The Badgers also got double-digit games from Sam Dekker (13 points) and Traevon Jackson (14 points). Joseph Bertrand had 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Fighting Illini in the loss.
HALFTIME: Wisconsin took full advantage of the stellar combination of Jared Berggren and Traevon Jackson, ending the first half against No. 13 Illinois up 39-19. Berggren scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and shot 5-of-9 from the field, while Jackson scored 12 points on 5-of-6 from the field. The Fighting Illini shot 26 percent from the field during the first half. The Badgers, who jumped out to a 14-0 lead, have led the entire game and by as many as 26 points. Wisconsin pulled down an incredible 11 offensive rebounds on just 14 missed field goals. The Badgers shot 53 percent in the fist 20 minutes. Brandon Paul has scored seven points to lead the Illini.
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Steve Stricker – As an Illinois Alum how can you wear a Wisconsin hat to the Illinois/Wisconsin game? Even worse you were caught on camera applauding for Wisc. You have no loyalty! Nolan Lipsky, Class of 62
well Nolan, his wife obviously wears the pants in the family…
anyways, the way illinois is playing, he’s probably too ashamed
john groce is doing a tremendous job with a team that lacked confidence under bruce weber. he is learning the league and his team at the same time and yet with their losses to the golphers and badgers, as bad as they were, the team remained competitive and positive. they are going to take some hits early in the best basketball conference in the nation. keep teaching the team coach groce. in the end the illini will be ok. we are very proud of this team and we stand behind you all as illinoians. go illini!
Where have the Badgers been until this game? They looked like a whole new team! One other player needs to get un tracked. I refer to Ryan Evans. He was more of a key figure last year than this year. Where did his confidence go? He is miserable at the free throw line besides his shooting percentage. He is much better than 10.5 points per game. Someone pull him out of his funk. OK?
As good a game as Traevon Jackson played, still is loose with the basketball, too many turnovers for the PG to have. Can’t happen against teams like Indiana & Michigan State who are next on the schedule.