MADISON – Wisconsin gets its first true test of the basketball season tonight.
The Badgers men’s basketball team hosts Arizona at 8 p.m. at the Kohl Center. The Wildcats are ranked No. 8 in the USA Today Coaches poll and No. 9 by the Associated Press.
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Wisconsin 36, Arizona 26, 7:54 mark first half
John Tonje entered play as the Badgers’ leading scorer at 17.7 points per game and so far he is showing no fear.
He is meeting the physical challenge of Arizona’s defense while scoring a game-high 16 points. He has made three of five shots and is 9 for 9 from the free throw line.
His only three was came from 2 or 3 feet beyond the three-point line near the top of the key. Nothing but net to push the UW lead to 10 points.
The Badgers have been drawing fouls at a steady pace. As a result they were in the bonus 8 minutes into the game and at the 10-minute mark owned a 15-1 edge in free throw attempts.
Wisconsin connected on 13 of those tries, a key ingredient in its 29-22 lead midway through the first half.
The Badgers energized the crowd with a 7-0 run to open the game fueled by a three-point play by John Tonje on the opening possession and a layup by John Blackwell at the 17:55 mark.
Arizona responded with an 8-2 run run that cut the Badgers ‘lead to a point. UW’s next possession, Blackwell drove the basket and drew a foul on Wildcats star Caleb Love. There appeared to be a verbal exchange that led Love to pushing Blackwell.
While the push wasn’t hard enough to knock Blackwell over, it happened right in front of the official. A technical foul was called on Love.
The lapse in judgement proved to be huge. After a media timeout Blackwell hit two free throws he received for drawing the shooting foul. Max Klesmit then hit two free throws for the technical and as icing on the cake, Blackwell drained a three on the retain possession.
That’s one possession and seven points.
UW led, 16-8 with 15:22 to go in the first half.eos
Here the projected starting lineups. Both teams have used the same starting lineup for each game.
Wisconsin Badgers starting lineup
9 John Tonje, 6-5, Grad. G, 17.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
11 Max Klesmit, 6-4, Sr., G, 16 ppg, 1 rpg, 2 apg
22 Steven Crowl, 7-0, Grad., C, 10 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 apg
25 John Blackwell, 6-4, Sr., G, 12.3 rpg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg
31 Nolan Winter, 7-0, Soph. F, 10.3 rpg, 6.7 rpg
Arizona Wildcats starting lineup
0 Jaden Bradley, 6-3, Jr., G, 11 ppg 2.5 rpg, 3.5 apg
1 Caleb Love, 6-4, Sr., G, 13.5 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 apg
4 Trey Townsend, 6-7, Sr., 5.5 rpg, 4.5 rpg., 1.5 apg
5 KJ Lewis, 6-4, Soph., G, 11 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3 apg
30 Tobe Awaka, 6-9, Jr. F, 11 ppg, 12 rpg, 1 bpg
Wisconsin vs Arizona injury report
Wisconsin will have all its players available for the game for the third straight game, according to the Big Ten’s availability report. Last week Camren Hunter missed the season opener, but Winter, who was listed as questionable, played.
Arizona basketball scouting report
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard met with reporter Tuesday. He started his press conference by sharing his thoughts on the Wildcats as well as the return of the Badgers’ 2014 and ’15 Final Four teams.
Wisconsin’s Greg Gard looks ahead to Arizona, Final Four team’s return
Greg Gard, the Badgers men’s basketball coach, met with reporters on Tuesday Nov. 12 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
The 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams, Bo Ryan will be honored
Before the game the athletic department will honor the 2014 and ’15 teams that reached the Final Four. At the half Bo Ryan, who was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame last month, will be on hand and honored with the raising of a banner bearing his name.
Coach Greg Gard reminisces about Wisconsin’s 2014,’15 Final Four teams
In advance of honoring Wisconsin’s 2014 and ’15 Final Four teams, coach Greg Gard looked back at their postseason runs.
