Wisconsin's quick burst to start second half dooms Illini
MADISON, Wisc. — On an afternoon bursting with intriguing subplots, the matter that defined Illinois' trip to Wisconsin fit neatly into the first three minutes of the second half.
With the Illini trailing by just 2 at the break, the Badgers burst out of the locker room on a 10-0 spree that featured a pair of open 3-pointers by senior center Keaton Nankivil.
The 16th-ranked Illini never got closer than 6 points again as No. 20 Wisconsin enjoyed a free-throw marathon to earn a 76-66 Big Ten victory Saturday at Kohl Center.
“You know what they're going to do,” said Illinois coach Bruce Weber. “You've got to execute your defense because they just probe you, probe you, probe you. I thought we made some bad decisions on rotations, left Nankivil open.
“That run's the difference in the game.”
Senior Jon Leuer poured in a game-high 26 points as Wisconsin (13-4, 3-2) became the team able to get over a gut-wrenching Tuesday loss.
Illinois' second road defeat this week featured a season-low 30.2 field-goal percentage — and a whole host of tangents.
• Freshman forward Jereme Richmond was benched after not being around for Illinois' practices Thursday and Friday due to “personal issues.”
He drove from his home in Waukegan to Madison to meet the team. He dressed and stretched, but had his first collegiate DNP.
“It was tough to play him today,” Weber said. “He'll be back with us on practice tomorrow and hopefully helping us Tuesday night (against Michigan State).”
The Illini (13-5, 3-2) could have used him Saturday not just for his skills, but also as another body because ...
• The officials went berserk in the second half as the Illini and Badgers combined to commit 39 fouls in the final 19 minutes.
They teamed up to shoot 48 free throws in the final 9:51 — including 26 attempts in the last 1:48.
Illinois set the Kohl Center opponent's records for free throws (30) and attempts (36). Demetri McCamey tied an all-time Wisconsin opponent record by making 17 free throws. He tried 21, which came up 1 attempt short of Dennis Hopson's record.
Badgers point guard Jordan Taylor made 16 of 18 free throws as his squad hit 34 of 41 at the line.
Nobody seemed to enjoy the game's disjointed nature.
“If it was ‘The Gong Show,' they would have hooked us all,” said Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan. “There wouldn't have been anybody left. Players. Coaches. But I told the officials, I really wouldn't want that job. I think he thought I was being funny, but I was being honest.”
• One of the many reasons for so many fouls? Early in the second half, Illinois all but abandoned the motion offense as McCamey (23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) kept slashing to the basket and drawing fouls.
Weber told the players afterward that their motion offense needs some work in practice.
“Coach Weber is going to go over some offensive schemes,” McCamey said, “and try to get back to how we were scoring against Gonzaga and all the good teams early in the year — and watch film on that and see how we were getting the motion better.”
Now would be a good time, what with Michigan State and new No. 1 Ohio State coming to town this week.