Wisconsin 94 Purdue 84

Wisconsin’s 2nd-half shooting too much for Purdue to overcome

Wisconsin overcame an 11-point first-half deficit to storm back to a decisive victory at Mackey Arena.

Wisconsin’s shooting was on fire the second half, going 72% from the field and 6 for 12 from three. They remained hot in crunch-time going 5 for 5 in field goals in the closing minutes.

As in the Michigan game, Purdue struggled with fouls, committing 21 fouls compared with Wisconsin’s 14.

Despite losing starting guard Kamari McGee to a flagrant-two early in the game, Wisconsin remained unfazed. McGee’s replacement, freshman Jack Janicki, steped up with 11 points and zero turnovers.

Key Stats

Only 7 combined turnovers in the game (Purdue 4, Wisconsin 3)

Wisconsin scored 12 three-point shots and an impressive 20 for 22 in two-point shots.

Wisconsin finished with 62% fg shooting for the game.

Key Individual Performances

Wisconsin’s John Tonje 32 points, 6 rebounds

Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn 30 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists

Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit 17 points, 6 assists

What it means

Wisconsin, who began the game at #11 in the NCAA reveal, solidly retains their spot as a 3-seed.

Purdue, who was #7 in the reveal, becomes a borderline 2-3 seed.

Wisconsin joins Purdue in 3rd place in the Big Ten standings with 4 conferences losses. Both teams trail Michigan and Michigan State.

Quotes

Purdue head coach Matt Painter: “We just didn’t have the same discipline they had. I liked their (Wisconsin’s) resolve. It was better than ours.”

More from coach Painter: “It’s hard for everybody. You gotta have a resolve about you when you miss shots, when you don’t get the calls you like. I talked to them afterwards and said ‘Hey, you gotta stop talking to officials, you gotta quit showing body language, you gotta quit being emotional.”