Badgers Bounce Back

Following the heart-breaking loss to Michigan Sate in overtime many questions started to swirl around the Wisconsin men's basketball team. One of those questions was how would they bounce back from a crushing defeat. The answer came against the Fighting Illini at the Kohl Center.

In the first half the Badgers looked hot, and cold. Starting off relatively hot from the floor the Badgers jumped out to an early advantage against Illinois. Then the Fighting Illini stormed back late in the half. Even taking the lead in the final minute until the Badgers finally hit from behind the arch.

With just ticks left on the clock in the first half senior guard Tim Jarmusz hit a three pointer to put the Badgers ahead by two heading into intermission. A huge three that not only bolted the Badgers to the lead, but was the first of the game for the Badgers.

After starting cold from behind the arch the Badgers found their stroke from distance in the second half. Mainly coming from the shooting hand of Keaton Nankivil.

The Badgers as a whole started to hit from deep in the second half, but nobody hit from deep quite like Nankivil. Hitting three big tri-fectas in the second half and helping the Badgers stretch out to a twelve point lead mid-way through the final stanza. A lead that Illinois could not recover from.

The Badgers would hold off the Fighting Illini down the stretch despite foul trouble, and the free throw shooting of Illini senior guard Demetri McCamey. Giving the Badgers their second signature win of the season, and a key Big Ten victory with a ten point win over Illinois 76-66.