Biggest Takeaways from Wisconsin Basketball's Narrow Win Over UT Rio Grande Valley

A Hard-Fought Victory for the Badgers

In a thrilling contest that came down to the final seconds, the Wisconsin Badgers emerged victorious over the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, 71-69. The win was a hard-fought one for the Badgers, who were pushed to the limit by a determined Vaqueros squad. Here are the biggest takeaways from the game:

Defense Wins Championships

The Badgers' defense was the key to their victory. They held the Vaqueros to just 39.4% shooting from the field and forced 16 turnovers. Ethan Happ was a force in the paint, blocking three shots and altering countless others. The Vaqueros were unable to find any rhythm offensively, and the Badgers were able to capitalize on their mistakes.

Brad Davison's Heroics

Brad Davison was the hero for the Badgers down the stretch. With the game tied at 69-69 and just seconds remaining, Davison hit a jumper from the free throw line to give the Badgers the lead. He then came up with a steal on the Vaqueros' ensuing possession to seal the win.

Free Throw Shooting Struggles

The Badgers' free throw shooting was a major concern in the game. They shot just 68.8% from the line, including a crucial miss by Aleem Ford in the final minute. The Vaqueros, on the other hand, shot 80.0% from the line. The Badgers will need to improve their free throw shooting if they want to be successful in the Big Ten.

Looking Ahead

The Badgers will now turn their attention to their next game, a home matchup against the Marquette Golden Eagles on Friday, November 11th. The Golden Eagles are a tough opponent, but the Badgers will be confident after their win over the Vaqueros. If they can continue to play defense at a high level and improve their free throw shooting, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten this season.