No. 10 Badgers nip No. 8 Purdue for share of Big Ten title
MADISON, Wis. (AP) Chucky Hepburn tried to keep a straight face as the freshman insisted he knew his game-winning 3-pointer was accurate as soon as he took the shot.
The laughter from his teammates told a different story.
Hepburn banked in a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left to give No. 10 Wisconsin a 70-67 victory over No. 8 Purdue on Tuesday night that clinched the Badgers a share of the Big Ten regular-season title.
''I knew we were about to be Big Ten champs after I released it,'' Hepburn said before breaking out a grin.
The Badgers have plenty of reason to smile.
Wisconsin (24-5, 15-4 Big Ten) has won five straight and now has at least a share of its 20th Big Ten regular-season title. A victory Sunday at home against Nebraska would give the Badgers their first outright conference title since 2015, when they went on to reach the NCAA Tournament championship game.
Throughout its surprising season, Wisconsin's heard criticism that it's been lucky because it has won so many close games. This time, even the Badgers themselves could laugh at Hepburn's good fortune.
''I'm not going to lie,'' Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis said during the wild postgame celebration. ''That was some bull... when that went in.''
Each of Wisconsin's last two baskets came on bank shots. Davis banked in a jumper from just inside the 3-point line to extend Wisconsin's lead to 67-64 with 25 seconds left.
''In terms of what we did at the end of the game, I wouldn't trade anything,'' Purdue coach Matt Painter said. ''I thought our defense on Johnny Davis when he banked it in was good. I thought our defense on Hepburn when he banked it in was good. You get beat by two good shots that are so far off they bank in, it's bad luck right there.''
After Wisconsin's Brad Davison missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity, Purdue's Jaden Ivey tied the game by sinking a 3-pointer with 8.9 seconds remaining. The Badgers worked the ball to Hepburn, who calmly fired the winning shot from in front of Wisconsin's bench.
Hepburn celebrated by running toward the student section on the opposite end of the floor with his arms outstretched. The freshman guard finished the night with a career-high 17 points.
''He's had a moxie and a calm to him all year,'' Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. ''He plays beyond his age, so to speak. At that position, that's difficult. It's like being a freshman quarterback.''
As Purdue tried to set up a desperation 3-point attempt, Wisconsin's Tyler Wahl intercepted Trevion Williams' inbounds pass. Wahl threw the ball aloft as the horn sounded and Wisconsin's students stormed the court. That student section had created a raucous environment all night long.
''It was so loud at one point my ears were literally ringing,'' Davis said.
All season long, Wisconsin has figured out a way to make winning plays when a game's on the line.
The Badgers have won each of the last 15 times they've played a game that was decided by six points or fewer. Wisconsin's only loss in those types of games was a 63-58 home decision against No. 11 Providence on Nov. 15 when a lower-body injury prevented Davis from playing.
The Badgers also completed first regular-season sweep of the Boilermakers (24-6, 13-6) since 2014, as the Badgers won 74-69 at Purdue on Jan. 3. They've now won each of the last 15 times they've played a game that was decided by six points or fewer.
''We've been in games like this before, where we've gotten some breaks,'' Purdue coach Matt Painter said. ''They got some breaks in the end, but you have to give them credit. They also worked really hard to be in this position. They've won a lot of close games all year. It's not like they're not good at winning close games. They have found a way all year. They've got a special group.''
Wahl scored 19 points for Wisconsin, and Davis had 16 points and eight rebounds.
Ivey scored 22, Zach Edey had 17 and Sasha Stefanovic added 11 for Purdue, which lost its second straight. Ivey and Edey combined to score Purdue's last 28 points.
BIG PICTURE
Purdue: Ivey and Edey were spectacular down the stretch, but they didn't get enough help. Purdue also went just 11 of 20 on free-throw attempts, with Ivey going 3 of 9.
Wisconsin: Hepburn is only a freshman, but he showed Tuesday he has the savvy to lead the Badgers on a deep postseason run.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
If Wisconsin follows up this win with a victory over Nebraska, the Badgers should move up a few spots and could even crack the top five. Purdue is at risk of falling out of the top 10 for the first time this season. The Boilermakers have been in the top 10 for 17 straight weeks, the longest streak in program history.
UP NEXT
Purdue: Hosts Indiana on Saturday
Wisconsin: Hosts Nebraska on Sunday.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
20:00 | Â | Zach Edey vs. Steven Crowl (Mason Gillis gains possession) | Â | |
19:46 | Â | Eric Hunter Jr. misses two point layup | Â | |
19:44 | Â | Johnny Davis defensive rebound | Â | |
19:30 | Â | Brad Davison misses three point jump shot | Â | |
19:28 | Â | Eric Hunter Jr. defensive rebound | Â | |
19:20 | Â | Steven Crowl blocks Jaden Ivey's two point jump shot | Â | |
19:18 | Â | Zach Edey offensive rebound | Â | |
19:13 | Â | Brad Davison personal foul (Zach Edey draws the foul) | Â | |
19:10 | +2 | Sasha Stefanovic makes two point layup | 2-0 | |
18:45 | Â | Chucky Hepburn misses two point jump shot | Â | |
18:43 | Â | Tyler Wahl offensive rebound | Â | |
18:40 | +2 | Tyler Wahl makes two point layup | 2-2 | |
18:19 | +3 | Sasha Stefanovic makes three point jump shot (Jaden Ivey assists) | 5-2 | |
17:59 | Â | Steven Crowl turnover (3-second violation) | Â | |
17:47 | Â | Sasha Stefanovic misses three point jump shot | Â | |
17:45 | Â | Zach Edey offensive rebound | Â | |
17:38 | Â | Steven Crowl shooting foul (Zach Edey draws the foul) | Â | |
17:38 | Â | Zach Edey misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | Â | |
17:38 | +1 | Zach Edey makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 6-2 | |
17:25 | +2 | Steven Crowl makes two point dunk (Johnny Davis assists) | 6-4 | |
17:05 | +2 | Mason Gillis makes two point dunk | 8-4 | |
16:47 | Â | Steven Crowl misses three point jump shot | Â | |
16:45 | Â | Zach Edey defensive rebound | Â | |
16:36 | +3 | Jaden Ivey makes three point step back jump shot | 11-4 | |
16:19 | Â | Jaden Ivey shooting foul (Chucky Hepburn draws the foul) | Â | |
16:19 | +1 | Chucky Hepburn makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 11-5 | |
16:19 | +1 | Chucky Hepburn makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 11-6 | |
16:01 | Â | Jaden Ivey misses three point jump shot | Â | |
15:59 | Â | Badgers defensive rebound | Â | |
15:59 | Â | Mason Gillis personal foul (Johnny Davis draws the foul) | Â | |
15:59 | Â | TV timeout | Â | |
15:45 | +2 | Tyler Wahl makes two point layup | 11-8 | |
15:30 | Â | Jaden Ivey turnover (bad pass) (Tyler Wahl steals) | Â | |
15:16 | Â | Tyler Wahl misses three point jump shot | Â | |
15:14 | Â | Jaden Ivey defensive rebound | Â | |
15:10 | Â | Johnny Davis personal foul (Jaden Ivey draws the foul) | Â | |
14:59 | +3 | Sasha Stefanovic makes three point jump shot (Jaden Ivey assists) | 14-8 | |
14:37 | +3 | Chucky Hepburn makes three point jump shot (Chris Vogt assists) | 14-11 | |
14:15 | Â | Trevion Williams misses two point layup | Â | |
14:13 | Â | Ben Carlson defensive rebound | Â | |
14:02 | Â | Ben Carlson misses three point jump shot | Â | |
14:00 | Â | Chris Vogt offensive rebound | Â | |
13:48 | +3 | Chucky Hepburn makes three point jump shot | 14-14 | |
13:29 | Â | Trevion Williams misses two point hook shot | Â | |
13:27 | Â | Ben Carlson defensive rebound | Â | |
13:17 | +2 | Ben Carlson makes two point layup (Chris Vogt assists) | 14-16 | |
12:53 | Â | Jaden Ivey misses three point jump shot | Â | |
12:51 | Â | Boilermakers offensive rebound | Â | |
12:41 | Â | Eric Hunter Jr. misses two point jump shot | Â | |
12:39 | Â | Trevion Williams offensive rebound | Â | |
12:37 | Â | Ben Carlson shooting foul (Trevion Williams draws the foul) | Â | |
12:37 | +1 | Trevion Williams makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 15-16 | |
12:37 | +1 | Trevion Williams makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 16-16 | |
12:13 | Â | Jahcobi Neath misses three point jump shot | Â | |
12:11 | Â | Chris Vogt offensive rebound | Â | |
12:07 | Â | Chris Vogt turnover (bad pass) (Ethan Morton steals) | Â | |
11:58 | +3 | Sasha Stefanovic makes three point jump shot (Ethan Morton assists) | 19-16 | |
11:33 | Â | Johnny Davis misses two point jump shot | Â | |
11:31 | Â | Trevion Williams defensive rebound | Â | |
11:19 | Â | Trevion Williams misses three point jump shot | Â | |
11:17 | Â | Johnny Davis defensive rebound | Â | |
11:12 | Â | Trevion Williams personal foul (Chucky Hepburn draws the foul) | Â | |
11:12 | Â | TV timeout | Â | |
11:08 | Â | Ethan Morton personal foul (Johnny Davis draws the foul) | Â | |
10:56 | Â | Jordan Davis misses three point jump shot | Â | |
10:54 | Â | Ethan Morton defensive rebound | Â | |
10:38 | Â | Eric Hunter Jr. misses two point layup | Â | |
10:36 | Â | Steven Crowl defensive rebound | Â | |
10:08 | Â | Jordan Davis misses three point jump shot | Â | |
10:06 | Â | Zach Edey defensive rebound | Â | |
9:46 | Â | Mason Gillis misses three point jump shot | Â | |
9:44 | Â | Brad Davison defensive rebound | Â | |
9:42 | Â | Zach Edey personal foul (Brad Davison draws the foul) | Â | |
9:30 | Â | Johnny Davis misses three point jump shot | Â | |
9:28 | Â | Jaden Ivey defensive rebound | Â | |
9:23 | Â | Jaden Ivey turnover (bad pass) | Â | |
9:11 | +3 | Tyler Wahl makes three point jump shot (Steven Crowl assists) | 19-19 | |
8:50 | Â | Zach Edey misses two point layup | Â | |
8:48 | Â | Steven Crowl defensive rebound | Â | |
8:33 | Â | Mason Gillis shooting foul (Johnny Davis draws the foul) | Â | |
8:33 | +1 | Johnny Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 19-20 | |
8:33 | +1 | Johnny Davis makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 19-21 | |
8:19 | Â | Sasha Stefanovic misses three point jump shot | Â | |
8:17 | Â | Steven Crowl defensive rebound | Â | |
8:03 | Â | Tyler Wahl misses two point layup | Â | |
8:01 | Â | Caleb Furst defensive rebound | Â | |
7:51 | Â | Chucky Hepburn personal foul (Sasha Stefanovic draws the foul) | Â | |
7:51 | Â | TV timeout | Â | |
7:41 | +2 | Zach Edey makes two point dunk (Jaden Ivey assists) | 21-21 | |
7:31 | Â | Chucky Hepburn misses two point jump shot | Â | |
7:29 | Â | Eric Hunter Jr. defensive rebound | Â | |
7:21 | Â | Eric Hunter Jr. misses three point jump shot | Â | |
7:19 | Â | Tyler Wahl defensive rebound | Â | |
7:05 | Â | Zach Edey shooting foul (Johnny Davis draws the foul) | Â | |
7:05 | +1 | Johnny Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 21-22 | |
7:05 | +1 | Johnny Davis makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 21-23 | |
6:45 | Â | Trevion Williams misses two point jump shot | Â | |
6:43 | Â | Johnny Davis defensive rebound | Â | |
6:32 | Â | Johnny Davis turnover (lost ball) (Eric Hunter Jr. steals) | Â | |
6:11 | Â | Jaden Ivey misses three point jump shot | Â | |
6:09 | Â | Chris Vogt defensive rebound | Â | |
5:51 | Â | Tyler Wahl turnover (bad pass) (Jaden Ivey steals) | Â | |
5:45 | +2 | Jaden Ivey makes two point layup | 23-23 | |
5:45 | Â | Brad Davison shooting foul (Jaden Ivey draws the foul) | Â | |
5:45 | Â | Jaden Ivey misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | Â | |
5:45 | Â | Trevion Williams offensive rebound | Â | |
5:33 | +2 | Trevion Williams makes two point hook shot (Jaden Ivey assists) | 25-23 | |
5:12 | Â | Johnny Davis turnover (bad pass) | Â | |
5:03 | Â | Trevion Williams misses two point layup | Â | |
5:01 | Â | Jahcobi Neath defensive rebound | Â | |
4:38 | Â | Johnny Davis misses two point jump shot | Â | |
4:36 | Â | Chris Vogt offensive rebound | Â | |
4:25 | +3 | Jahcobi Neath makes three point jump shot (Chucky Hepburn assists) | 25-26 | |
4:04 | Â | Chris Vogt blocks Sasha Stefanovic's two point layup | Â | |
4:02 | Â | Johnny Davis defensive rebound | Â | |
3:49 | +2 | Chucky Hepburn makes two point jump shot | 25-28 | |
3:49 | Â | Isaiah Thompson shooting foul (Chucky Hepburn draws the foul) | Â | |
3:49 | Â | TV timeout | Â | |
3:49 | +1 | Chucky Hepburn makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 25-29 | |
3:35 | Â | Isaiah Thompson turnover (lost ball) (Chucky Hepburn steals) | Â | |
3:11 | +2 | Johnny Davis makes two point jump shot | 25-31 | |
2:51 | Â | Jaden Ivey turnover (bad pass) | Â | |
2:34 | Â | Johnny Davis misses two point jump shot | Â | |
2:32 | Â | Jaden Ivey defensive rebound | Â | |
2:25 | Â | Johnny Davis personal foul (Jaden Ivey draws the foul) | Â | |
2:25 | Â | Jaden Ivey misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | Â | |
2:25 | Â | Jahcobi Neath defensive rebound | Â | |
2:07 | +2 | Tyler Wahl makes two point layup (Steven Crowl assists) | 25-33 | |
1:53 | Â | Boilermakers 30 second timeout | Â | |
1:40 | Â | Eric Hunter Jr. turnover (bad pass) (Tyler Wahl steals) | Â | |
1:14 | Â | Chucky Hepburn misses three point jump shot | Â | |
1:12 | Â | Trevion Williams defensive rebound | Â | |
0:54 | +3 | Eric Hunter Jr. makes three point jump shot (Jaden Ivey assists) | 28-33 | |
0:29 | Â | Badgers 30 second timeout | Â | |
0:22 | Â | Chucky Hepburn misses two point jump shot | Â | |
0:20 | Â | Jaden Ivey defensive rebound | Â | |
0:16 | Â | Jordan Davis shooting foul (Jaden Ivey draws the foul) | Â | |
0:16 | Â | Jaden Ivey misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | Â | |
0:16 | Â | Jaden Ivey misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | Â | |
0:16 | Â | Jahcobi Neath defensive rebound | Â | |
0:04 | Â | Chucky Hepburn misses two point layup | Â | |
0:02 | Â | Sasha Stefanovic defensive rebound | Â | |
0:00 | Â | End of period | Â |