Matt Painter pats Purdue on the back for Wisconsin's recent success

Back on January 3rd, the Wisconsin Badgers were dominated 89-73 by the fifth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers at the Kohl Center. That game was the result of poor three-point shooting (4-of-25 from deep) and a defense that allowed Purdue to shoot 46% from the field. That loss came during a time where the Badgers found themselves getting pummeled in Quad 1 opportunities, and frustrations were mounting, as exemplified by Nick Boyd yelling at Austin Rapp during the game.     

Fast forward to March 8th, and the Badgers not only picked up four wins over ranked teams since that loss, but they got revenge on Purdue by knocking off the 15th-ranked Boilermakers 97-93 at Mackey Arena. After the game, Matt Painter was quick to give the Badgers their flowers for how they turned their season around. 

Purdue head coach Matt Painter gives Wisconsin high praise

Related: Wisconsin, Greg Gard flirting with NCAA Tournament seed that feels cursed

In his press conference, Painter has this to say about Wisconsin, who he considered “a tough out” for the upcoming NCAA tournament. 

"They didn’t seem like they were on the same page when we played the first game, and obviously, they are now. And that’s what competition does. Competition, you know, wakes you up. Now, I think our game was probably one of the most important games they had all year because, since then, they’ve still stubbed their toe a couple times, like the rest of us. But to win at Illinois, at Michigan, and at Purdue speaks volumes for the makeup of this team. And, you know, they do it today without Nolan Winter, who’s a big piece of what they do.”

Painter found a way to both compliment Wisconsin and his own team in the process.

A clip of Painter’s press conference can be found here via Evan Flood of On3 Sports.

The Badgers are playing some of their best basketball right now and are primed to make a deep run in this year’s NCAA tournament. Before that, they have an opportunity to strengthen their NCAA seed in the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. Wisconsin will take on the winner of Washington and USC on March 12th. If they win, they will have a rematch against Illinois. 

Perhaps Greg still has that Jake Davis wig?