The Wisconsin Badgers upset 22nd ranked Illinois 67-63 in Champaign on
Jordan Taylor
Sunday, ending a streak of 10 straight road losses against ranked opponents.
Jordan Taylor scored 19 points and teammate Jared Berggren added 18 as the Badgers won their 4th straight Big Ten contest, improving to 5-3 in conference play and climbing to within 1/2 game of first place in the conference race.
The Badgers committed eight turnovers and hit just 3 of 10 free throws in the first half. But Wisconsin had just 2 give/aways in the second half and hit 7 of their last 8 free throws. Jordan Taylor hit 5 of his last 6 but said the Badgers need to get better there.
AUDIO: Jordan Taylor on the importance of better free throw shooting :17
The Badgers did a number on the Illini defensively, led by Josh Gasser, who held Illinois guard Brandon Paul in check. Paul entered the game averaging 20.3 points a game. Against Gasser, Paul hit 3 of 11 from the field and finished with 10 points.
The Badgers also won the hustle battle and coach Bo Ryan said that’s absolutely huge.
AUDIO: Bo Ryan on winning the hustle battle :18
The Badgers have won 4-straight games and trail Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan by a half game in the Big Ten race. Wisconsin will host Indiana on Thursday night at the Kohl Center.