BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. – When Carter Gilmore re-entered the game – subbing for Steven Crowl in a defense for offense exchange – he processed the score (Wisconsin led 73-71), the time remaining (24 seconds) and the available Liberty options (all revolving around freeing up guard Darius McGhee).
“Obviously, coach put me in there for defense and we knew that we were going to switch one through five at the end,” Gilmore said of the conventional strategy that Greg Gard has frequently employed in late game situations the last two seasons. “My guy set a ball screen right away …”
That meant a defensive switch with the 6-7 Gilmore isolated on the 5-9 McGhee.
“Definitely no 3’s,” Gilmore was thinking to himself. “I’m going to make him drive.”
Easier said than done. Or executed against a skilled playmaker like McGhee who had 31 points.
“He’s an old, savvy player,” said Max Klesmit who had guarded McGhee most of the game.
It certainly factored into Gilmore’s thinking. Among many other things about the 23-year old McGhee who was appearing in his 168th career game for Liberty. During his illustrious career, he had accounted for 2,685 points, including 528 triples. He has been a matchup nightmare for everyone.
“I was waiting for him to do a step-back,” Gilmore shared of his thought process. “I know with my length going on him, he was going to try and create a little space. So, I was trying to sit on the step-back. But I could tell that he was a little indecisive on whether he wanted a 3 or a 2 so that helped.
“Eventually, he drove it and went up for a shot and I just had to contest then. I was lucky enough to slide my feet and stay in front of him – wall-up – something we practice. And that’s why coach put me in there.” In the very next breath, he reiterated, “I was lucky enough to get a stop this time.”
Gilmore forced a tough shot that McGhee missed. Klesmit grabbed the defensive rebound and was fouled with six seconds left. At the other end, he stepped to the line and knocked down both free throws – the punctuation mark on Wisconsin’s 75-71 win over Liberty Sunday at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers will now carry the momentum from winning back-to-back NIT games – the first time…
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