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Wisconsin Basketball: 3 takeaways from the Badgers’ loss to Illinois

By Christian Borman

Feb 2, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) moves past Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) moves past Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brad Davison; Wisconsin basketball
Jan 30, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Brad Davison (34) celebrates a three-point basket during the game with the Minnesota Gophers during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Badgers are still very much in the conference championship picture

Yes, the Badgers don’t match up well with the Illini got thumped on the road by a very good team. But we know what this Wisconsin basketball team is capable of. They can hang with just about anyone, mostly because of their defense. But when they get hot, they can put up points in bunches as well. The good news is Illinois is not on the remaining regular season schedule. The only time they’d see the Illini again is in the Big Ten Tournament or in the NCAA Tournament.

The game was closer than the 13-point loss would indicate and the Badgers shot horrifically from deep. I am more confident in the Badgers’ chances if they meet the Illini again this season because they will be on a neutral court and will (hopefully) shoot better than they did last night.

More good news: they are just a game outside of the top spot in the conference.  the Big Ten Conference is a grind and Illinois still has Purdue, Michigan State, and Ohio State on their upcoming schedule. Any one of those teams could cause trouble for the Illini. The Badgers still have a decent shot at taking the conference.

So one loss, although a frustrating one, is not the end of the world. The Badgers are still one of the top teams in the Big Ten and have a chance to make a run in both the Big Ten Conference and in the NCAA Tournament in March.

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