Wisconsin survives tough Colgate test in NCAA tourney opener

MILWAUKEE — Johnny Davis supplied a easy rationalization for a way Wisconsin stepped up down the stretch to keep away from a first-round upset.

“We just stopped being lazy on defense and non-fundamental,” the All-America guard and Big Ten participant of the 12 months mentioned. “That’s all it was.”

Davis scored Wisconsin’s final 14 factors and completed with 25 because the Big Ten co-champion Badgers got here from behind to beat Colgate 67-60 within the first spherical of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night time.

The third-seeded Badgers (25-7) snapped Colgate’s 15-game successful streak and superior to a second-round recreation Sunday towards No. 11 seed Iowa State (21-12). The Cyclones defeated LSU 59-54 earlier Friday.

Wisconsin trailed by as many as 5 within the second half earlier than happening a 10-0 run and holding Colgate scoreless for greater than seven minutes. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard agreed with Davis’ blunt evaluation of what prompted the turnaround.

“At least he’s honest,” Gard mentioned.

Davis confirmed he’s all the way in which again from the injured left ankle that knocked the Big Ten participant of the 12 months out of the Badgers’ regular-season finale. Davis returned for the Big Ten Tournament however shot 3 of 19 in a quarterfinal loss to Michigan State, which additionally superior Friday night time.

After capturing 3 of 11 within the first half, Davis caught fireplace when the Badgers wanted him. Steven Crowl’s 3-pointer put Wisconsin forward for good at 53-52 with 8:08 remaining.

From that time on, Davis took over.

“That was a big shot by Steve,” Davis mentioned. “I feel like I’ve done it before, but my teammates have a lot of confidence in me — so do the coaches — to close a game out.”

Davis’ teammates have seen him do that each one season and wrestle to explain his impression.

“I’m speechless,” Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn mentioned. “I’ve got no words to say. I just give him the ball and get out of the way.”

Tyler Wahl added 15 factors and 9 rebounds for Wisconsin.

Nelly Cummings scored 20 factors and Tucker Richardson had 15 for Colgate, which shot 10 of twenty-two from 3-point vary to almost topple Wisconsin.

Colgate entered the night time second within the nation in 3-point share (.403) and twelfth in 3-pointers per recreation (9.9). That long-range assault sizzled within the second half because the Raiders threw a scare into the partisan crowd that fashioned a sea of pink at Fiserv Forum, which is about 80 miles east of Wisconsin’s campus.

“I’ve been to a lot of great venues in this country: Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Palestra, Rupp Arena, Phog Allen Fieldhouse,” Colgate coach Matt Langel mentioned. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in an environment better than the one for a college basketball game tonight. That typically doesn’t happen in NCAA Tournament games.”

The 14th-seeded Raiders (23-12) made six of their first seven 3-point photographs within the second half, with Richardson going 4 for 4 from past the arc within the first 5 minutes.

Colgate led 52-48 after Jeff Woodward transformed a three-point play with 10:40 left, however the Raiders wouldn’t rating once more till the three:33 mark.

“Wisconsin amped up their defensive intensity a little bit more,” Langel mentioned. “Tucker got loose a couple of times. They weren’t going to let him get loose anymore. The game got a little bit more physical, as you would expect from a Big Ten champion in the guts of a close game.”