Everything Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard said after Badgers late-game meltdown vs. Oregon

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Wisconsin basketball (21-6, 11-5 Big Ten) suffered its first loss since January with a 77-73 overtime defeat to Oregon (20-8, 9-8 Big Ten) on Saturday.

Riding a five-game win streak, the Badgers entered Saturday’s action with real momentum and a chance to inch closer toward the program’s third regular season Big Ten title since 2020. It appeared as if that win streak would extend to six games, as Wisconsin led by 14 points after a John Tonje layup with 6:15 remaining in regulation.

Oregon, however, had other plans. The Ducks piloted an impressive 16-2 scoring spurt to close regulation, which included a deep three-point field goal from guard Jackson Shelstad to knot the game at 66 apiece with 12 ticks remaining. Wisconsin turned it over 11 times in the second half and missed virtually every shot attempt down the stretch, enabling the Ducks to make a late-game push and send the contest into overtime.

There, Ducks big man Nate Bittle made the most impactful set of plays by any player on the hardwood. The senior poured in six points in the final period of play, including two timely field goals in the painted area. Wisconsin star John Tonje would miss his final pair of attempts from three-point range to tie the game. Oregon then concluded the game at the foul line.

UW’s 17 turnovers, abysmal 25% clip from three-point range and six total free throw attempts proved the difference, especially in the second half. Tonje finished with 22 points, although he needed 20 attempts to do so. Otherwise, Sophomore John Blackwell missed all six of his looks from outside, and Steven Crowl could not contain Bittle down the stretch.

Head coach Greg Gard met with the media postgame. Here is what he said about the Badgers’ most disappointing loss of the season:

Opening statement

MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 22: Greg Gard head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Kohl Center on February 22, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/everything-wisconsin-head-coach-greg-145200793.html

Author : Badgers Wire

Publish date : 2025-02-23 14:52:00

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