This is not the Wisconsin team that Badger fans were hoping to see tonight. They were hoping to see the team that came out and dominated in the Big Ten Tournament, but instead, they are getting the team that lost three of their last four regular season games.
The Badgers are having a horrible first half against James Madison right now as they are down 33-20. Their offense is nowhere to be found and they are allowing the Dukes to walk all over them. The Badgers also don't seem to know how to take care of the ball with 13 turnovers, the most they have had in a half all season long.
Wisconsin averages 11 turnovers a game and they have already gone over that average just in the first half. They need to figure out something at halftime and come out a completely different team if they want to avoid being yet another upset story of this NCAA Tournament.
Fans on X (formally known as Twitter) are letting the Badgers know they are unhappy. Let's take a look at what they are saying, both good and bad, but mostly bad.
Ummm...@JMUMBasketball is ready to play. Somebody tell #Wisconsin
— Adam Dennis (@Adam_Dennis05) March 23, 2024
James Madison looks like they came into this game knowing they had a real chance to upset the Badgers and Wisconsin is letting them do it. Something needs to change and change fast.
James Madison 33 #Wisconsin 20 halftime. Lowest points scored in first half by #Badgers this season. Absolute nightmare.
— Mike Clemens (@MikeClemensNFL) March 23, 2024
The stats don't lie, when you continue to turn the ball over or allow it to be stolen, it is tough to string baskets together. James Madison is dominating this game and it shows on the stat sheet.
#Wisconsin doesn’t look engaged. They look emotionless and star struck. Lights to bright, or coach is just trash. The whole first half they jogged the ball up and allowed defense to set up. Never jumped into fast pace. That’s what made the Nebraska game a good one.
— Michael (@Michael86622101) March 23, 2024
2nd half is Gards job, this is embarrassing #Badgers #Wisconsin
— BIG10 bball betting (@MikeHunt1948) March 23, 2024
It seems that fans will be calling for head coach Greg Gard's job if they don't win this game. Do you think he deserves to be on the hot seat if the Badgers lose?
#Wisconsin has really bad body language right now. A lot time left in this game
— Var Brook (@mrgoodvar) March 23, 2024
Sometimes it is all in body language, the Badgers don't look like they want to win the game and it shows on the court.
JMU keeping the ball because he spikes it off the other guy’s FOREHEAD is the funniest thing I’ve seen this March 😂 #MarchMadness #JMU #Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/vMkAV52TuO
— Morgan Smith (@smithbmorgan) March 23, 2024
This video just sums up Wisconsin's first half. Nothing is going thier way and it is showing. If they want to win they need to come out of half a new team and look like they want to win. Only time will tell as to whether or not the Badgers will win.