The Wisconsin Badgers were up 18 at one point and even up 13 with eight minutes to go in the win over Washington. Yet, it came down to a final shot by Husky guard Zoom Diallo to tie the game, which was missed, and the Badgers advanced to take on Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament.
After the game, Wisconsin's John Blackwell sat down with the Big Ten Network analysts, and of course, the narrative turned to how Washington was able to mount a comeback. Blackwell first said, "That's basketball." But went on to explain how that's on him and Boyd. The dynamic guards have to be able to shut down that run. "We had to close that game out, that's on us as guards to close that game out...It's March, you've got to win and move on."
John Blackwell had a career day for Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament with record scoring
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Blackwell was fantastic in the game, scoring a Big Ten Tournament record for Wisconsin with 34 points, including the final shot to seal the game. Boyd was also electric and scored 23 of his own points. It was a fantastic game by both guards, but there's truth to what Blackwell said.
At the end of the game, Wisconsin decided to get out of their offense and slow the game way down. They were up by 13, why not, milk the clock and let some of the subs play to rest legs for tomorrow. It didn't work. It backfired immediately, and Blackwell and Boyd fell out of rhythm and stopped missing shots.
The problem and yet the excitement with college basketball is exactly this. You don't see this sort of thing happen in the NBA. The Badgers lost their rhythm, Washington gained the momentum, and the Huskies almost stole the game.
Blackwell was able to close it out both offensively and defensively to close the game, but there's a big thing to fix for the next game against Illinois. Staying in rhythm and learn this big lesson about letting teams steal the momentum.