No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers Get Road Win Over Northwestern Wildcats

The No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (15-2, 6-1 B1G) get a win in Evanston over the Northwestern Wildcats (9-7, 2-5 B1G), 82-76, to move into a tie with No. 17 Illinois for first place in the Big Ten Conference.

It was far from a work of art, but the Badgers got it done, thanks to 27 points from Johnny Davis.

It was a fun game (again). A gritty win (again). It’s never to be taken for granted and it was great to see so many Badgers fans in Evanston.

This Badgers team is just flat out good. So many potential let down spots in the last two weeks and they keep showing up. Nails. I’d just to know who predicted the Badgers to finish in 10th in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin shot 28-for-54 (51.9%) from the field, 9-for-17 (52.9%) from 3-point range, but 17-for-26 (65.4%) at the free throw line. UW is a very good free throw shooting team, but in the final minute missed five free throws that would have sealed the deal.

Wisconsin had 17 assists on the 28 made field goals, but did have 11 turnovers.

All five UW starters reached double-figures in scoring: Johnny Davis (27), Tyler Wahl (14), Chucky Hepburn (14), Brad Davison (13) and Steven Crowl (10).

I don’t think it’s a question anymore than Johnny Davis is the National Player of the Year.

Side note: Northwestern head coach Chris Collins showed his Duke side tonight.

Some quick comments as I wrap this up: Johnny Davis is a stud, All-American player. But Tyler Wahl and Brad Davison are playing their best ball at UW right now. Hepburn is terrific for a true freshman point guard and Steven Crowl is light years of where he was in November. And this is on top of guys helping off the UW bench!

Up Next:

The Badgers will welcome the No. 14 Michigan State Spartans (14-3, 5-1 B1G) to the Kohl Center on Friday night, January 21st. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM (Central Time) and will be nationally televised on FS1.