Hot Wisconsin shooting and a zebra-initiated momentum change on Saturday were enough to douse the fire that had spread through the Northwestern men’s basketball team just three days prior during its first conference win.
The drop in enthusiasm resulted in the Wildcats’ 74-59 loss, their second to the Badgers in 10 days.
“It was so obvious that they came ready to play, and we were laid back,” NU junior Jitim Young said.
NU (9-11, 1-8 Big Ten) kept pace with Wisconsin (16-5, 6-3) until 0.5 seconds were left in the first half, when Jitim Young’s high-flying tip in was called back, after a referee whistled Mohamed Hachad for going over-the-back.
The foul sent Kirk Penney to the free-throw line for two easy baskets, making it a four-point swing.
“That was the play, right at halftime,” NU coach Bill Carmody said. “It was probably the right call, but you lose two and they gain two. Then they started at the second half and put the game away very quickly.”
The Badgers shot 53 percent from the field, including 59 percent in the second half, while the Cats missed several attempts from point-blank range. No fewer than six NU layups failed to pass through the nylon.
“It’s very frustrating, because you’re taught growing up that layups are the easiest shot in basketball,” senior Aaron Jennings said. “And if you don’t make them you get down, and then maybe you make a mistake on defense.”
The Cats’ defense wasn’t as intense as it was during NU’s 74-61 victory over Indiana on Wednesday. The Badgers’ guards consistently broke through the Cats’ press to start up the Badgers’ regular offensive sets.
“They were so comfortable bringing the ball up the court,” Young said. “We didn’t take as many chances as we did last time. We were so concerned with what they do that we forgot what we do.”
Wisconsin’s motion offense created open looks along the perimeter throughout the afternoon as NU’s zone failed to stick with shooters like it had against Indiana. The Badgers went 8-for-16 from beyond the arc with sophomore walk-on Clayton Hanson leading the way with a 4-for-4 effort from long range. Wisconsin senior Kirk Penney added a trio of 3-pointers on his way to a team-high 23 points.
On offense the Cats attempted a season-low 12 treys, making four, despite being down by 21 points with less than four minutes to play.
Young led NU in both scoring and rebounding for the second-consecutive game, notching 25 points and 10 boards.
Carmody was impressed with Young’s follow-up to Wednesday’s 12-rebound effort.
“He got rebounds today, no one else did,” Carmody said. “For a guy who’s listed at 6-foot-2 but not much bigger than me, you know he’s working pretty hard out there.”
After being doubled-up on the glass (42-to-21) in a 69-50 loss to the Badgers on Jan. 29, the Cats lost the battle of the boards 37-25 Saturday.
Wisconsin nearly had as many offensive boards (14) as NU had defensive (16).
“My front line didn’t rebound today, ” Carmody said. “I don’t know if it’s athleticism, speed or what, but we just didn’t do it.”
Jennings’ lack of production in the rebound column tarnished his 16-point performance. The 6-foot-11 center pulled in just two rebounds.
Aside from Young, none of the Cats’ starters had more than two boards.
“I didn’t feel like we had the look in our eyes,” Carmody said. “It just wasn’t the same.”
