RECAP: Wisconsin drops its third consecutive game with 86-60 loss to Illinois

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Wisconsin’s basketball recent losing streak continued on Tuesday night.

The Badgers fell 86-80 to Big Ten rival Illinois. The loss is the team’s third straight in the last week, dropping it to 8-3 overall and 0-2 to start Big Ten play.

Star freshman Kasparas Jakucionis led the way for the Illini with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists on 8-of-15 shooting. His performance defined the night — a continued breakout as one of the best players in the sport.

Illinois junior guard Tre White also had his best game of the young season with 21 points and eight rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, capped off by a massive put-back dunk on an offensive rebound.

Tre White CLEANS UP ‼️ @IlliniMBB#B1GMBBall on Peacock 💻 pic.twitter.com/4NfH7jNWZL

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) December 11, 2024

That play tells the story of the game. It highlights the rebounding totals, which again skewed away from Wisconsin.

Illinois finished with 39 rebounds (15 offensive), while the Badgers tallied just 28. Illinois’ second-chance points decided the game down the stretch. Wisconsin held strong through most of the contest, though they were largely kept at arm’s length due to an inability to control the defensive glass.

Greg Gard’s team had a big chance when Illinois committed a flurry of fouls early in the second half. It spent the final 14:42 in the bonus and a significant time in the double bonus. The team shot just 14-of-21 from the line, however, leaving a critical batch of points on the table.

The Badgers were again led by John Tonje (14 points, four rebounds, three assists), plus got big contributions from Nolan Winter (15 points, seven rebounds, two steals) and Max Klesmit (13 points, four assists). Center Steven Crowl (nine points on 3-of-9 shooting) continued his slow start to the season.

The loss is Wisconsin’s ninth straight to the Illini. The Badgers haven’t defeated the Big Ten rival, let alone on the road, since 2019.

Wisconsin is now in desperate need of a victory after the losing skid move to three. They are back in action…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/recap-wisconsin-drops-third-consecutive-041447222.html

Author : Badgers Wire

Publish date : 2024-12-11 04:14:00

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