It wasn't the best game overall for Badger center Steven Crowl, but he provided the play of the night in Wisconsin's 70-63 win over Northwestern. After struggling for most of the day by going 2-for-7 from the floor while adding four turnovers, Big Steve turned on the aggression with 8:33 left in the half.
As Northwestern's Ty Berry went up for a layup, Crowl sent the shot into the stands with authority. He ended up getting called for a technical foul on the play, but fans and teammates were loving the dominating play.
Steven Crowl gets a technical foul on monster block
Steven Crowl HUGE block and the technical foul follows for words exchanged. pic.twitter.com/x04JMNpijZ
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 13, 2025
"I said 'Gimme that s--," Crowl elaborated on his technical foul. "But he said it was the stare that got him. I said I don't get many blocks, so I have to let him know about it."
It's not often that Crowl get's T'd up or shows fiery emotion, so after a rough game it was an energizing play for a Badger team that was looking to close out the game.
"Max [Klesmit] and Nolan [Winter], they liked it. Obviously Kam [McGee] on the bench, he liked it," said Crowl. "Coach Gard, in the moment, I don't think he really liked it."
Getting a technical foul typically isn't a celebrated moment in games, but in this case Crowl showed a glimpse of the player fans hoped they would see all season. They don't need any more techs, but head coach Greg Gard will certainly welcome the tough mentality and grittiness on defense every day of week.
Wisconsin snagged an important and ugly win, but they'll need Crowl and company to bring their A-game against a much stronger UCLA team tomorrow in the Big Ten Championship Quarterfinals.