This has not been a great shooting season for the Wisconsin Badgers, but Bo Ryan’s team didn’t let the past affect the way they played
Ryan Evans
their opening round NCAA Tournament game.
The Badgers hit shots from all over the floor and opened a 10-point halftime lead. They were never threatened in the second half and cruised to a 73-49 win over the Grizzlies.
Ryan Evans scored 14 of his team high 18 points in the first half. About the only thing Evans did wrong was commit 5 turnovers.
AUDIO: Ryan Evans on his 18 point night :16
Jordan Taylor hit 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc to add 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and no turnovers in 36 minutes. Taylor also helped hold Montana’s Will Cherry to 9 points, 7 below his average.
In the end, the Badgers as a team hit 52% from 3-point range (10 of 19).
Even Mike Bruesewitz, who was 0 for his last 14 from beyond the arc over an 8-game stretch, hit 2 of 3 in the win yesterday.
AUDIO: Bo Ryan says it’s good to see the lid come off for Bruesewitz :18
Center Jared Berggren scored only 5 points, but blocked 7 shots.
The Badgers are now 10-1 in NCAA tournament openers under Bo Ryan, winning their 25th game of the season.
The Badgers will face Vanderbilt in second round action on Saturday from Albuquerque, New Mexico.