7 thoughts from Wisconsin basketball's blowout of Ball State
Here's what to know from another Badgers win as the nonconference schedule continues.
MADISON, Wis. — It wasn’t an overall clean performance Tuesday, but it was yet another blowout that again shows the potential of the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team.
Wisconsin built a 22-point lead within the first 9 minutes, 13 seconds of the game. A first-half lull ensued thereafter, but the Badgers eventually pulled further away from Ball State in the final 20 minutes during an 86-55 win at the Kohl Center.
“Happy with our performance, for the most part,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. “I thought we’d been becoming more consistent on both ends of the floor. And I thought Ball State was, on tape, a really scrappy team. Was going to give us some issues in driving lines and digging basketballs loose off the dribble if we weren’t careful with it.
“I think they exposed some of that. I’ll pick that apart on film, but I thought our start was really good. We had a segment of bad basketball in the first half. Second half, I thought for the most part, we were in control and did some good things.”
Let’s get to Badger Observer’s breakdown of the win for Wisconsin (3-0).
Another strong performance from Nolan Winter
The junior forward registered his second double-double of the season, leading the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He connected on 7 of 11 shots that included 2 of 3 from 3-point range.
Winter’s defensive presence also was felt with three blocks.
“There’s still some plays that I think he could be more emphatic with and more aggressive,” Gard said. “I’m complaining about a double-double, but I think he’s got more in him.
“I think he’s not anywhere near where he can be, and that’s the exciting part. You get great production, but the head coach wants more, and I know he wants more. He knows there’s more in there to be even better.”