Wisconsin Badgers Face Tough Loss to Purdue

MADISON, Wis. — The start of the new year didn’t go as planned for the Wisconsin Badgers, who fell to Purdue at home with a final score of 89-73. This loss marked their second defeat in the Big Ten this season, raising concerns about their chances in the postseason.

The No. 5 team in the country came into the Kohl Center and looked very comfortable in their victory. On the other hand, the Badgers are now facing more questions than ever about their postseason prospects after this setback.

First Half: Mistakes and Missed Opportunities

One of the key positives from the first half was Wisconsin’s shot selection and ability to start the game strong. The Badgers attempted 12 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes, but only one in the first five minutes. They were passing up opportunities to drive to the basket, which worked for the most part, as they shot 53.6% from the field.

Wisconsin’s pick-and-roll plays were nearly as effective as Purdue’s, taking advantage of one-on-one situations. Nick Boyd stood out with eight points (4-for-6 from the field), while Nolan Winter led the way with nine points. The seven-footer got to the line several times, but only converted on five of eight attempts.

However, Purdue looked even more in control, forcing eight turnovers and grabbing six offensive rebounds. These mistakes alone gave the Boilermakers an extra 22 points, with 13 coming from takeaways and nine from second-chance opportunities.

Braden Smith proved to be a key player for Purdue, as his pick-and-roll actions were deadly. The star point guard contributed eight points and six assists in 17 minutes without a turnover.

Despite these issues, Wisconsin managed to trail 45-38 at halftime. However, even Purdue’s missed shots were from great looks, exploiting the Badgers’ help defense and finding plenty of corner shots.

Second Half: A Complete Collapse

All of Wisconsin’s first-half mistakes were amplified in the second half. Purdue went on multiple scoring runs, including 6-0 and 10-0 stretches in the first 10 minutes, increasing their lead by as many as 24 points.

The Badgers struggled to find their rhythm, going multiple minutes without scoring or making a field goal on several occasions. Purdue shot 44-46-73 in the second half, while Wisconsin shot just 31% from the field and 7% from three-point range. The discomfort was evident for the Badgers, and the opposing fans made their presence known.

All five Purdue starters reached double figures by halfway through the second half, with Fletcher Loyer leading the way. The 6-foot-5 wing finished with 20 points on 4-for-10 shooting from three.

A 13-2 Wisconsin run with just under four minutes remaining made things interesting, but it was too little, too late as the Boilermakers closed out the game comfortably.

Braden Smith continued to shine, facilitating the offense with 14 points and 12 assists. He finished the game with just three turnovers, breaking the all-time assist record for Big Ten basketball. He surpassed Michigan State star Cassius Winston’s record of 891 with 893 assists.

Nick Boyd was the standout performer for Wisconsin, contributing 24 points and six rebounds. Nolan Winter followed with 18 points and nine rebounds, but the rest of the team failed to make a significant impact.

Looking Ahead

With this loss, the Badgers fall to 9-5 on the season and 1-2 in the Big Ten. They will face UCLA in Madison on Tuesday, hoping to regroup and get back on track after another tough loss.