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The No.. 7 Wisconsin Badgers (1-0) took care of business against the Eastern Illinois Panthers (0-1) on Wednesday night, winning 77-67 in the Badgers’ first game against real opponents in nearly nine months.
« It’s good to be back on the field, albeit in a strange setting with no fans, » said head coach Greg Gard after the game. « Every game we can play this season is a step in the right direction. ”
The Badgers never stayed behind during the game and led by up to 27 points in the first minutes of the second half. Nate Reuvers led Wisconsin with 18 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in the night, moving it within five blocks of Ethan Happ’s Wisconsin record.
Freshman striker Ben Carlson scored 13 points on his Badger debut while D’Mitrik Trice scored 11 points.
The Badgers dominated the first half, taking a 43:20 lead and keeping Eastern Illinois to just 25 percent off the field with four blocks and a few steals.
However, the team looked sloppy in the second half after Eastern Illinois switched to defensive zone schemes. Wisconsin shot just 32 percent in the second half and tried hard to get a good look in color for the strikers.
Senior Guard Josiah Wallace scored 22 points for leading Eastern Illinois, while Milwaukee-born Senior George Dixon scored eight points and 10 rebounds for the game.
« It’s been a lot of feeling for the game and trying to get comfortable, even for the older folks it’s been a while since everyone has played, » said Gard. « It’s early, but we have to work on our consistency without the crowd to pick us up. It’s a little scary. ”
Gard often played in the game against Carlson and his classmate Johnny Davis, both of which ended over 15 minutes. Carlson looked solid all night, shooting 4-5 from the field, one made three and 4-4 from the free-throw line, adding two rebounds and a block.
Davis was eight at halftime and had great potential at both ends of the court – splashing a floater on his first shot of the game and then promptly blocking a shot in defense.
« I knew they were very nervous [before the game], » said Gard. “I was walking around the room and all the newbies said they had a lot of butterflies, but I found that they all looked pretty comfortable. It is okay for them to have this type of experience and to not steer some things in the right direction or make mistakes. This is how you learn. ”
UW will be back in action against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday night. The Golden Lions also opened their season on Wednesday night, losing 99-57 at Marquette. The tip is set to 8p. m. .
By Nathan Denzin
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24. November 2020, 11 p.m.
By Dexter McCann
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24. November 2020, 7:37 pm
By Anthony Trombi
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24. November 2020, 7:27 pm
Wisconsin Badgers Men’s Basketball, Eastern Illinois Panthers Men’s Basketball, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Big Ten Conference
World News – USA – Badgers roll into the season opener, take care of business against Eastern Illinois – The daily cardinal
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Ref: https://www.dailycardinal.com
