FIRST HALF ANALYSIS:
This game started out with a fairly decent pace. The Badgers took a slight lead early, helped by having 4 assists on their first 5 field goals. Nebraska started off 4-8, meaning this game could have been high scoring. Nebraska took the lead at the under 12 timeout, courtesy of 2 3-pointers by Braden Frager. Both teams would shoot over 50% in the first 10 minutes of the game. Wisconsin started to go cold, especially from deep, and the Huskers slowly took control.
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Rienk Mast was the first one to double figures, and the Huskers were doing a good job of keeping the Badgers off the glass. Nebraska would open up a double-digit lead, thanks in two large parts. Wisconsin finished the half going scoreless over the last 3:50 and the Huskers closed the half on a 10-0 run. Nebraska took a 47-31 lead into the half.
FIRST HALF STATS:
Wisconsin shot 10-30 for 33% from the floor. They went 4-19 for 21% from deep and 7-8 for 88% from the free-throw line. The Badgers collected 15 rebounds, 4 of which were offensive. Wisconsin had 8 assists to just 5 turnovers.
The Badgers were led by Nick Boyd, who had 8 points. John Blackwell had 7. Nolan Winter led the way with 4 rebounds. Boyd led the Badgers with 4 assists.
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Nebraska shot 17-31 for 55% from the floor. They went 6-15 for 40% from deep and 7-8 for 88% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 20 rebounds, 4 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 10 assists to just 5 turnovers, and had 22 points in the paint.
The Huskers were led by Rienk Mast, who had 11 points. Berke Buyuktuncel and Braden Frager each had 9. Mast also led the way with 8 rebounds. Jamarques Lawrence had 6 assists.
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SECOND HALF ANALYSIS:
This was all about not letting the foot off the gas, and Nebraska definitely did not do that. The best example of this in the opening couple of minutes in the half was a block by Berke Buyuktuncel, who ended up looking like a freshly fed vampire with blood streaming out of his mouth. As he was walking off the court, he was raising his arms to pump up the crowd the entire way back to the locker room.
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Nebraska, who shot the ball well in the second half, continued that trend in the second half. Nebraska would go on multiple scoring runs, while the Badgers would go on 4 different 3+ minute scoring droughts. Nebraska threatened to set a new record for largest Big Ten Conference win, which was 34 at Rutgers. Nebraska got darn close, as at one point the lead was 33, but the Huskers had to settle for a meager 30 point win.
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FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:
Wisconsin shot 22-64 for 34% from the floor. They went 7-32 for 22% from deep and 9-11 for 82% from the free-throw line. The Badgers collected 32 rebounds, 11 of which were offensive. Wisconsin had 14 assists to 11 turnovers, and had 24 points in the paint.
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The Badgers were led by Nick Boyd, who had 20 points. Nolan Winter had 10 points and 6 rebounds. Boyd and Andrew Rohde each had 4 assists.
Nebraska shot 33-61 for 54% from the floor. They went 11-30 for 37% from deep and 13-15 for 87% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 38 rebounds, 8 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 20 assists to 10 turnovers, and had 44 points in the paint.
The Huskers were led by Rienk Mast, who had his 3rd double-double of the season, with 17 points and 10 rebounds. 5 Huskers finished in double figures. Braden Frager had 6 rebounds, while Jamarques Lawrence led the way with 7 assists.
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If you would have told me that Nebraska was going to win this by 30, I would have looked at you like you were on something. I thought maybe Nebraska would win, but by 5 points or so. Wisconsin last had the lead at 21-19, and Nebraska just blew the door off once they took the lead for good. If the Huskers continue to play like they did tonight, this team could easily threaten for a top 7 spot in the Big Ten Conference.
The next game is at Illinois on Saturday at 3 pm central, which can be seen on Peacock. This will easily be the toughest and truest test of what Nebraska could actually accomplish this season. I know I have said this a handful of times, but this team is a lot of fun to watch. In March, it could be something special.
