This was a dumb Wisconsin game in a lot of ways. Really, more than five, but for the sake of time and energy, here are five frustrated observations from the Wisconsin loss to Indiana 78-77.
1. The refs actually decided this game and it's unfortunate
The first one is obvious; the refs had two pivotal calls that gave the game to Indiana. The offensive foul call on Nick Boyd while the Badgers were up by two points with seconds to go gave the ball to Indiana. Then, when Wilkerson tripped, they gave a foul to Blackwell with only 2 seconds left. It was the deciding moment, and it's a shame.
You can argue that Boyd committed the offensive foul, but the foul on Blackwell when Wilkerson tripped was ridiculous. The refs took over, and the Big Ten should be ashamed.
2. Slow start...AGAIN
The Badgers have made it a game-day tradition to start as flat as possible. They continue to start games by digging a big hole and having to play the game "comeback". They were down by double-digits in the first half and even in the second half, but both times were able to battle back. They finished the first half with only six point deficit.
To end the game, they went on a 10-0 run to tie, take the lead, and ultimately send it to overtime. That's great, but maybe don't start in the hole in every game.
3. Blackwell was out of sorts most of the game, but came alive down the stretch
Blackwell struggled all game until it mattered most. He ended the game with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, and yet that doesn't tell the story at all. Blackwell only had two points at the half. He just couldn't find his rhythm, and Indiana did a good job of getting him out of sorts.
Yet, then he found his mojo and went ham, single-handedly bringing the Badgers back into the game. He even had the ball in his hands to win it at the end of regulation, but clanked off the back rim.
4. Live by the 3, die by the 3
The Wisconsin Badgers both lived by the three and died by the three in this game. They couldn't get much going inside and so they were letting them fly. This not only helped them, it cost them too. It seems like with where the bigs are this season, this may be the Badger offense for this season.
The Badgers took 36 threes and finished the game wih 33% from behind the arc. It didn't cost them this game, but it definitely matters both for good and for ill.
5. Indiana set the pace the entire game and yet Wisconsin won
Towards the end of the game, Badger beat reporter for On3 posted a crazy stat on social media. At that point in the game, the Badgers had zero fast-break points. The Badgers average 12.3 of those a game. They may have even ended the game with the same stat. Which means that Wisconsin let Indiana set the pace all game.
That matters especially when Wisconsin can't do what they do best. However, this game was decided by the refs and there's nothing any of us can do about it.