Wisconsin gave No. 3 Kansas everything they could handle and then a whole lot more, but in the end the fight fell 0.2 seconds short as the Jayhawks escaped with a 69-68 win.
Wisconsin fell to 4-1, but even in a loss it felt like one of the most impressive Badger basketball performances in recent memory. Trailing by 15 in the second half, the Badgers could have packed their bags but instead they went on a number of runs, the final one culminating in a three-point lead with under 20 seconds left in regulation.
Kansas made just enough key plays to escape, as a Bobby Pettiford Jr. put in an acrobatic layup with 0.2 seconds left to break Wisconsin hearts.
There were a number of impressive takeaways for Wisconsin in an impressive loss. Here is what Badger fans can take from an incredible fight in The Bahamas:
Nov 23, 2022; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (14) and Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) and Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) celebrate after the game against the Dayton Flyers at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Where was Wisconsin picked in the Big Ten preseason poll? Way down in ninth place. This team defense, the play of Tyler Wahl, the emergence of freshman sharpshooter Connor Essegian? Wisconsin is not finishing ninth in the Big Ten.
Nov 23, 2022; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) reacts during the second half against the Dayton Flyers at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
One of the more underrated pieces of Wisconsin outscoring Kansas 43-30 in the second half was Wofford transfer Max Klesmit’s defensive work off-ball. He navigated screens in a Jrue Holiday-esque fashion (alright, I’ll settle down) while holding five-star Gradey Dick to just 0-2 from the field and zero second-half points.
Nov 24, 2022; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Wisconsin Badgers players react after the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The one area where Wisconsin found consistent success offensively? Out of timeouts. The Badgers ended up generating a number of paint touches for Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl out of their after-timeout sets. If you could nitpick anything about this second half, it may be not using a timeout on the final play of regulation.
Nov 23, 2022; Paradise Island,…
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