Wisconsin escapes Denver in season opener despite shooting woes
The Wisconsin Badgers opened their season with a 75-68 victory over the Denver Pioneers on Monday night, but the final score masked a performance defined by uncharacteristic inefficiency. Despite entering the contest as 25.5-point favorites, the Badgers struggled to maintain control, allowing Denver to mount a significant second-half surge that brought the game within four points.
As reported by Sports Yahoo, the margin of victory was much narrower than oddsmakers anticipated. While Wisconsin held a comfortable 44-30 lead at halftime, they were outscored 38-31 in the second half as the Pioneers capitalized on Wisconsin’s defensive lapses and missed opportunities at the charity stripe.
The win provides a baseline for Greg Gard’s squad, but the underlying metrics suggest several areas requiring immediate attention. Transfer wing Eian Elmer provided a bright spot, leading the team with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. However, the team’s overall execution faltered in critical stretches, turning what should have been a blowout into a contested battle.
A night of missed opportunities at the line and from deep
The most glaring issue for the Badgers was a lack of rhythm from the perimeter and the free-throw line. For a team known for hunting shots from distance and drawing fouls, the shooting percentages were surprisingly low. Wisconsin managed only 6 of 26 shots from three-point range. Braeden Carrington was the lone outlier in this category, making 3 of 7 triples, while the rest of the roster combined for a meager 3 of 19.
Even more concerning was the performance at the free-throw line, which effectively kept Denver in the game. Wisconsin shot just 7 of 18 from the line. This struggle was most evident among the starters; Owen Foxwell and Nolan Winter combined for a dismal 1 of 9 from the free-throw line.
The impact of this inefficiency is best viewed through the lens of the game’s momentum. When Denver went on a 20-7 run to cut the lead to 58-54, the Badgers’ inability to convert free throws prevented them from regaining the breathing room they enjoyed in the first half. While the team did find success in the paint—getting numerous looks at the rim to offset the poor outside shooting—the lack of “easy” points from the line remains a significant hurdle.
Rotation experiments and freshman involvement
Coach Greg Gard utilized the season opener to test the depth of his roster, playing 11 different players in the first half alone. The distribution of minutes offered a glimpse into the team’s current hierarchy and ongoing experimentation.
Austin Rapp emerged as a key contributor, playing 30 minutes and serving as a primary rotation piece after Victory Onuetu picked up early fouls and Will Garlock was sidelined. Zach Kinziger appeared to solidify his role as the backup point guard, while Jack Janicki saw his role shift from a starter in exhibition play to a bench role to accommodate Braeden Carrington.
The rotation also included a brief appearance by freshman Jackson Ball. While Ball showed enough readiness to earn early minutes, his stint was short-lived; he saw just 26 seconds of action in the second half before being pulled following a turnover. In contrast, more experienced players like Trey Autry and Janicki saw more significant time as the game tightened.
| Player | Key Stat/Role |
|---|---|
| Eian Elmer | 18 points (7-of-13 FG) |
| Braeden Carrington | 3-of-7 from three-point range |
| Nolan Winter | 14 rebounds, 6 points |
| Austin Rapp | 30 minutes played |
Nolan Winter’s performance highlighted the dichotomy of the Badgers’ night. While he was dominant on the glass with 14 rebounds, his offensive output was nearly non-existent. Winter finished with just six points and failed to score at all in the second half, missing both of his field goal attempts and all four of his free throws.
As the season progresses, the coaching staff will likely focus on stabilizing the defensive stops and tightening ball security. While the ability to attack the rim provided a safety net on Monday, the reliance on such high-variance plays may prove risky against more disciplined opponents who can exploit missed free throws and perimeter lapses.
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