Wisconsin Basketball Coughs Up Late Lead in Australia

Wisconsin Basketball is no longer undefeated in New Zealand and Australia after coughing up a late lead in Melbourne

Wisconsin Basketball fans have experienced some of the highest highs with a pair of Final Four appearances in recent years.  But they also know the sting of painful last second losses.

Wisconsin lost to Kentucky in the 2014 Final Four on a last second Aaron Harrison prayer from deep.  In 2016, a Nigel Hayes turnover fumbled away an elite eight appearance in the closing minute against Notre Dame.  Finally, in 2017 the Florida Gators sunk a running triple at the buzzer to deny the Badgers the elite eight.

Preseason exhibitions in Australia may not be as momentous as the examples above.  Yet, the same late game struggles turned a win to a loss.  Wisconsin had a four-point lead with just under 47 seconds left.

"But, Melbourne answered with a quick basket and forced a shot clock violation to regain possession with just over 14 seconds on the clock. A corner 3-pointer from Jerry Evans put Melbourne ahead, and moments later Evans iced the win by blocking Brevin Pritzl‘s would be game-winner from behind the arc."

The UW Athletic Department write-up noted the game “featured six ties and 12 lead changes.”  Coach Greg Gard was quick to note in the news release the learning experience for his young team.

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That’s true of course.  You prefer the lesson be taught in Australia in August than the Kohl Center during Big Ten play.  However, it’s hardly a new lesson for the Badgers.

Free throws were likely decisive.  Melbourne United was 20-22 from the FT line.  Meanwhile, Wisconsin was a respectable 15-20, but shot no 4th quarter free throws.

Yet, the last two seasons have been a struggle from the foul line.

In 2016-2017, Wisconsin shot only 64.4 percent from the foul line (336th nationally).  That number was deflated by Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes’ struggles from the stripe.  In 2015-2016 Wisconsin shot 70.3 percent form the foul line (150th nationally).

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Wisconsin Basketball needs to discover its best combination of ball-handlers and free throw shooters to use on offense in end-game situations.  Ideally, Wisconsin won’t have to sit its best defender and rebounder in Ethan Happ on offense anymore.

Wisconsin’s final game of the New Zealand – Australia trip is on Tuesday August 22nd.  Set an early alarm to watch the live-stream.  The game starts at 4:30 a.m. CST.