The Boilermakers better watch out because the Badgers will be back at full strength on Sunday. After a hard-fought victory over the Wildcats, Wisconsin is ready to seek revenge against Purdue. Despite dealing with injuries, the Badgers managed to secure the win and advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
One of the injured players, Chucky Hepburn, had to sit out the game against Northwestern due to a knee injury. It was a tough blow for him, but he’s determined to bounce back and play on Sunday.
Another player, John Blackwell, who stepped in for Hepburn, suffered an ankle injury during the first half of the game. However, he toughed it out and continued to play, even hitting a crucial three-pointer towards the end.
Tyler Wahl is also nursing an injury, but he managed his minutes well in the previous game. Markus Illver stepped up in his absence and played a bigger role against the Wildcats.
Although the Badgers won’t be completely healthy, there’s good news as all three players are expected to take the court against Purdue. Blackwell and Hepburn have made it clear that nothing will stop them from playing.
Blackwell expressed his frustration about the ankle injury but remained determined to contribute to the team’s success. He’s excited to play against Purdue and erase any doubts about his availability.
Hepburn echoed the same sentiment, assuring everyone that he’ll be ready to go on Sunday. Nothing will keep him from competing.
The Badgers are fired up and ready to give it their all against the Boilermakers. They’re determined to come out on top and make a statement in the tournament. With Hepburn sidelined, Blackwell, Max Klesmit, and Kamari McGee all stepped up on Friday, taking on the task of guarding Boo Buie, which was initially challenging.
As the game progressed, Wisconsin managed to contain Buie while also shutting down the rest of Northwestern’s team with a strong defensive performance.
Klesmit explained, “I focused on following the scout, anticipating his moves if he goes to his right hand. When he was in the left corner, I knew he would likely receive a dribble handoff to his right. After he got into a rhythm, I tried to deny him the ball, disrupt his playmaking, and force other players to step up.”
“It was a collective team effort to close the gaps and provide help defense to contain him. We executed the game plan well, and I’m proud of how we adjusted and limited his impact as the game went on.”
These collective efforts led Wisconsin to a victory over Northwestern on Friday.
Looking ahead to a rematch on Saturday, the Badgers are set to have their full roster available as they prepare to face the challenging Boilermakers next.