The Penn State Nittany Lions played a pivotal role as spoilers in the Big Ten Conference, upsetting the Wisconsin Badgers, who had entered the game as favorites and were vying for the No. 2 spot in the standings.
Wisconsin’s Unexpected Collapse
The Badgers initially dominated, surging to a 13-point lead within the first three minutes. However, they ultimately fell short, losing by 11 points with a final score of 75-86. While the team demonstrated its potential, defensive lapses proved costly, a concern head coach Greg Gard acknowledged.
Defensive Struggles and Key Players
One standout performer for Penn State was center Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds. Notably, 10 of his points came from dunks, showcasing Wisconsin’s defensive shortcomings in the paint.
“We needed to get him covered better. We were more effective when we had a five-man defending him in the post, but I don’t think we were aggressive enough in that area,” Gard reflected after the game. “On dribble penetration, we did well, but our execution inside the paint needed improvement. I believe we were 5-for-22 from two-point range with our four or five guards, which was a combination of missed opportunities and Niederhauser’s defensive presence at the rim.”
Injury Concerns Loom Large
While defensive issues can be addressed through game reviews and adjustments, Wisconsin’s bigger concern is the mounting injuries to key players.
Starting guard Max Klesmit remains sidelined with no clear update on his availability for the upcoming tournament. The situation worsened against Penn State when forward Nolan Winter sustained an injury just 13 minutes into the game.
“Our game plan changed significantly with two key players missing,” Gard admitted. “Klesmit and Winter are starters for a reason—they are among our best five players. With Klesmit already out for three games and then losing Winter, it added more pressure on Steven Crowl, who had to take on additional minutes.”
Gard noted that he turned to Carter Gilmore at the five-position in the second half following Winter’s injury, acknowledging the domino effect of missing starters.
“Our starting five are on the court for a reason, and having them available is crucial. We need bench players to step up and contribute positively,” he added.
Tournament Implications
Due to the loss, Wisconsin received the No. 5 seed in the Big Ten tournament. They are set to face the winner of the No. 12 Minnesota vs. No. 13 Northwestern matchup in the second round. The Badgers will need to address their defensive gaps and manage injuries effectively if they hope to make a deep tournament run.
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