First-half thread for NU-Wisconsin

[lou v]

Well, the odds are stacked against the Cats, but this is nothing but an opportunity. They have nothing to lose and it's a chance to all but sew up an NCAA bid with a W.

NU needs a third scorer to step up and play well, whether it's Skelly, Tap, Brown or Lumpy. Someone's gotta come through with some offense because the Badgers are the best defensive team in the conference. Koenig hasn't been playing that well lately and the Badgers needed OT to beat Minnesota, Rutgers and Nebraska during their eight-game win streak.

 

[mikewebb68]

Wow, Tap starting....

 

[lou v]

Wow, Tap starting....

Not a bad idea. Get some size in there. They have Koenig guarding him. Too bad Tap doesn't really have a post-up game.

 

[julescat]

NU can't score.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Tap is too slow and Brown can't help us on defense! We are doomed!

 

[TheC]

And the blowout already begins. We just can't shoot. Sooo frustrating.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Mac has missed four shots at least!

 

[TheC]

Macinstosh kills us with his pathetic shot selection. He's got to stop.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

14-8 as I check in, 11:45 to go in first half.

Two threes or a 3 field goal run to tie it.

 

[lou v]

Mac has missed four shots at least!

NU's offense is struggling, as expected, but the defense of playing well. They're making the Badgers take the shots they want them to take -- Happ's jumper, Thomas' 3 -- they're just making them right now:

 

[TejasCat]

BMac on pace for 35+ shots

 

[Figrating]

Might as well let Tap shoot 3s.

Hope Mac find shis shot cause that seems to be the game plan.

 

[bjm989]

Our defense is good but so is theirs. I'd actually prefer to see Law getting / taking better shots. WI getting some bad shots to fall. A bank shot, a three off the front rim?

 

[Figrating]

Even with all that crap shooting, NU is right THERE!

 

[lou v]

Even with all that crap shooting, NU is right THERE!

Shots are starting to fall now after a cold start. Cats down by 2.

 

[bjm989]

Focus has got to be on executing good offense and making them work to keep us from getting good shots. At this point, this game is going to be a defensive one about whose offense creates better shots and I actually think we're doing pretty well right now. The other levers will be things like offensive rebounds and hustle plays that create or secure turnovers. Clean game so far which we need.

 

[DaCat]

Our defense is keeping us in the ball game, in spite of the pathetic shooting. Gotta make those shots.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

Our defense is good but so is theirs. I'd actually prefer to see Law getting / taking better shots. WI getting some bad shots to fall. A bank shot, a three off the front rim?

For real. Wisconsin is throwing up junk that's falling.

Tie game. Good D from both sides.

 

[bjm989]

BS on that Pardon dunk attempt. Body contact on the shot. They just better call it evenly both ways.

Now that's a nice open shot created for law!

 

[bjm989]

A need to keep going to pardon as well. He scores one and the other is an assist for a three.

 

[Figrating]

UW talking to themselves.

 

[bjm989]

Great defense creating great offense. Really nice play by the Cats.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

Wow, Tap starting....

And delivering!

 

[Bradleywildcatsfan]

WOW!!!! Way too early in the game yet, but very encouraging!

 

[lou v]

It's raining 3s in Madison! 16-0 NU run. Wow.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Law is a beast on the boards and is playing lights out! Love Taphorn's shot!

 

[Alaskawildkat]

14-8 as I check in, 11:45 to go in first half.

Two threes or a 3 field goal run to tie it.

All it took was a little faith! Looks like by checking in, a little Alaska Karma came with it.


Now a 13 - 0 run with Cats leading. ------

OK, now a 16 - 0 run now with score at 28-19 as Badgers take a time out.

 

[LetsGoRed!]

Doesn't appear your offense is missing Lindsey much tonight?

 

[ubercat]

We are a different team than the one that played Illinois last week.

 

[bjm989]

First big hustle play to WI

 

[Figrating]

Get ahead and play like oafs...

 

[Alaskawildkat]

Less than three minutes left in the first half and Cats holding the lead.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

1 minute 36 seconds and NU gets to keep the ball on a lucky call to overcome a shot clock violation. Cats still lead by 6 with one minute twenty left in the half.

Now Cats lead by 9 thanks to Big Mac and his three.

29.3 seconds left to end the half.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Solid defense by Cats! Love it! ❤️

 

[bjm989]

Continued great D and now we get a lucky shot of our own. One last chance to draw up a good play to close the half. I'd like to see us go through Pardon again.

 

[ubercat]

The bank is open on Sunday for Mac.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Mac sees the entire floor! Skelly needs to make that three

 

[julescat]

Crispin is a decent young announcer. Kugler is a f*cking idiot. I think B1G Network can do better than that moron for it's number one team..

 

[bjm989]

we missed a chance to put pressure on their D there one more time by getting the ball inside. Maybe a foul, maybe an open shot on a kick out, maybe Pardon gets to the rim one more time. Sure we could have a turnover or give them a little time, but I'd prefer to be on the offensive.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

End of half, Cats hang onto their lead with 9 points ahead.