If you bet against Bo Ryan’s Badgers this season, you may have already learned the hard way. Don’t count out a Bo Ryan coached Badgers team, because he’s already proven his case.
Going into the season, media around the Big Ten was calling for the Badgers to finish somewhere around 7th through 9th. There’s a long way to go, but wins against teams like Maryland, Duke, Ohio State and now 4th ranked Purdue has to make one think that the Badgers right now are building their post-season NCAA resume.
After falling at 10th ranked Michigan State on Wednesday. the Badgers rebounded to knock off 4th ranked and previously unbeaten Purdue 73-66 at the Kohl Center.
Sophomore guard Jordan Taylor (pictured) scored a collegiate high 23 points for Wisconsin. The Badgers also got 20 points from Jason Bohannon and 14 points from Trevon Hughes to improve to 13-3 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten. The Badgers out-rebounded Purdue 39-32 before 17,230 fans at the Kohl Center.
Purdue fell to 14-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten teams. They were one of four teams entering play with an unbeaten record.
The Badgers also proved they could win when Jon Leuer wasn’t at the top of his game. Leuer did pull down a team-high 10 rebounds, but scored just 4 points on 2 of 15 shooting.
The Badger bench meanwhile, led by Jordan Taylor’s performance, put up 33 points on 11 of 19 shooting and 13 rebounds.
Purdue was led by E’Twaun Moore and 13 from forward Robbie Hummel, but the Boilermakers hit just 13 of 24 (54%) of their free throws.
Up next for the Badgers, a trip to Northwestern to face the Wildcats on Wednesday night.