No. 19 Wisconsin tops Nebraska 66-62 in Big 10 tourney
AP
Mar 15, 2019
CHICAGO (AP) With every clutch play by Nate Reuvers and company, Wisconsin Badgers showed it's much more than just Ethan Happ.
Reuvers scored 14 points, D'Mitrik Trice hit a big 3-pointer and the 19th-ranked Badgers beat pesky Nebraska Cornhuskers 66-62 on Friday to advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
Khalil Iverson also scored 14 points as the Badgers (23-9) won for the sixth time in seven games despite a shaky performance by their leading scorer and rebounder. The 6-foot-10 Happ, who was averaging 17.8 points and 10.4 rebounds coming into the tourney, had a season-low four points and committed seven of his team's 17 turnovers.
''I didn't play well, obviously,'' Happ said. ''There was definitely credit to Nebraska.''
Reuvers, Iverson, Aleem Ford and Brad Davison stepped up to help make up for Happ's tough day. Ford and Davison each had 11 points.
''There's been a lot of games where he's carried us and today we kind of had to carry him,'' Davison said. ''That won't happen two games in a row, so we're excited for him and for our team coming back tomorrow.''
Next up for the Badgers is No. 6 Michigan State on Saturday. The top-seeded Spartans advanced with a 77-70 victory over Ohio State.
Nebraska (18-16) fell just short in its bid for a third win in three days. The Cornhuskers had a six-man rotation because of injuries and backup guard Nana Akenten's suspension, and it looked as if their lack of depth caught up to them in the final moments.
Glynn Watson Jr. scored 23 points for Nebraska, and James Palmer Jr. finished with 15 on 6-for-21 shooting. Isaiah Roby scored 13.
''We fought to the end. That's basically it,'' Watson said. ''The guys all fought for each other and stuck together no matter what.''
Watson, Palmer and Roby each played the entire game. Watson and Palmer played every minute of the Cornhuskers' stay in the conference tourney.
''I'm proud of this group beyond belief,'' coach Tim Miles said.
Nebraska was down just 57-55 when Trice connected from long range with 58 seconds left. After Watson missed a 3 on the other end, Davison made two free throws to make it 62-55 with 39 seconds remaining.
Davison made two more foul shots and Trice also hit two from the line to help Wisconsin close out the win. The Badgers made 11 of 12 free throws for the game, while the Cornhuskers went 6 for 8.
''We had a lot of guys come in and contribute,'' Iverson said.
Nebraska trailed by as many as 13, but got back into the game with a 13-2 run spanning halftime. Watson closed the first half with eight straight points on two 3s and a driving layup, and Roby's 3 trimmed Wisconsin's lead to 36-34 with 17:58 remaining.
After the Cornhuskers went in front for the first time on Palmer's layup with 10:18 left, Reuvers got the lead back for the Badgers when he banked in a 3 from the top of the key. The 6-foot-11 Reuvers grinned as ran back down the court to play defense.
WAITING
Miles is 115-113 in seven seasons with the Cornhuskers, raising questions about his job security. Athletic director Bill Moos said his evaluation of the program would end once the season is over. The Cornhuskers will find out Sunday if they receive an invitation to the NIT.
''That's out of my hands,'' Miles said when asked if he had earned more time at the school.
BIG PICTURE
Nebraska: Palmer led the way as Nebraska opened the conference tournament with victories over Rutgers and No. 21 Maryland. But the Cornhuskers looked a little tired down the stretch against Wisconsin, shooting 33.3 percent (12 for 36) from the field in the second half.
Wisconsin: It was ugly, but the Badgers found a way. While Happ struggled offensively, he grabbed seven rebounds to help his team to a 36-30 advantage on the glass.
UP NEXT
Nebraska also played in the NIT last season, losing to Mississippi State in the first round.
Wisconsin lost 67-59 to Michigan State on Feb. 12 in their only meeting this season.
---
Jay Cohen can be reached at https://twitter.com/jcohenap
---
More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25
Copyright 2019 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
1st Half
NEB
Cornhuskers
29
WISC
Badgers
34
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Wisconsin
19:43
Khalil Iverson missed layup, blocked by Isaiah Roby
19:43
Offensive rebound by Wisconsin
19:39
+2
Khalil Iverson made driving layup, assist by D'Mitrik Trice
0-2
19:12
Thorir Thorbjarnarson missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:10
Defensive rebound by Nate Reuvers
19:05
Bad pass turnover on Khalil Iverson
18:40
James Palmer Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:38
Defensive rebound by Wisconsin
18:17
+2
Khalil Iverson made jump shot, assist by Nate Reuvers
0-4
17:55
Bad pass turnover on James Palmer Jr., stolen by D'Mitrik Trice
17:41
+2
Ethan Happ made layup, assist by Khalil Iverson
0-6
17:25
Glynn Watson Jr. missed jump shot
17:23
Defensive rebound by Ethan Happ
17:15
+2
Nate Reuvers made layup, assist by Ethan Happ
0-8
16:53
+2
Isaiah Roby made layup
2-8
16:32
+2
Nate Reuvers made jump shot, assist by Ethan Happ
2-10
16:12
Isaiah Roby missed driving layup, blocked by Ethan Happ
16:11
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
15:59
Jumpball received by Nebraska
15:59
+2
Johnny Trueblood made layup, assist by Glynn Watson Jr.
4-10
15:28
Personal foul on Tanner Borchardt
15:15
Brevin Pritzl missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:13
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Roby
15:13
Personal foul on Nate Reuvers
14:48
Johnny Trueblood missed driving layup
14:46
Defensive rebound by Ethan Happ
14:23
Brevin Pritzl missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:21
Defensive rebound by Glynn Watson Jr.
14:04
Glynn Watson Jr. missed layup
14:02
Offensive rebound by Tanner Borchardt
14:02
+2
Tanner Borchardt made dunk
6-10
13:31
Ethan Happ missed driving layup
13:29
Offensive rebound by Ethan Happ
13:29
+2
Ethan Happ made dunk
6-12
13:16
James Palmer Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:14
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
12:55
Offensive goaltending turnover on Isaiah Roby
12:55
Unsportsmanlike technical foul on Nebraska
12:55
+1
Brad Davison made 1st of 2 free throws
6-13
12:55
+1
Brad Davison made 2nd of 2 free throws
6-14
12:45
+3
Aleem Ford made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nate Reuvers
6-17
12:26
+2
Glynn Watson Jr. made jump shot
8-17
12:01
+3
Aleem Ford made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nate Reuvers
8-20
12:01
Shooting foul on Tanner Borchardt
12:01
+1
Aleem Ford made free throw
8-21
11:42
+3
Glynn Watson Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Isaiah Roby
11-21
11:16
Khalil Iverson missed layup, blocked by Isaiah Roby
11:14
Defensive rebound by Glynn Watson Jr.
11:08
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:06
Defensive rebound by Nate Reuvers
10:51
+2
Nate Reuvers made layup, assist by Khalil Iverson
11-23
10:32
+2
James Palmer Jr. made driving layup
13-23
10:20
Lost ball turnover on Nate Reuvers, stolen by Isaiah Roby
10:17
+2
Isaiah Roby made driving dunk
15-23
10:17
Shooting foul on Khalil Iverson
10:17
+1
Isaiah Roby made free throw
16-23
9:57
Lost ball turnover on Ethan Happ, stolen by Thorir Thorbjarnarson
9:49
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:47
Offensive rebound by Johnny Trueblood
9:33
+2
James Palmer Jr. made driving layup
18-23
9:08
+2
Nate Reuvers made layup, assist by D'Mitrik Trice
18-25
8:51
+2
James Palmer Jr. made driving layup
20-25
8:41
Offensive foul on Aleem Ford
8:41
Turnover on Aleem Ford
8:26
Traveling violation turnover on Thorir Thorbjarnarson
8:12
Bad pass turnover on Nate Reuvers, stolen by Isaiah Roby
8:07
Shooting foul on D'Mitrik Trice
8:07
+1
Isaiah Roby made 1st of 2 free throws
21-25
8:07
Isaiah Roby missed 2nd of 2 free throws
8:07
Defensive rebound by Nate Reuvers
7:58
Bad pass turnover on D'Mitrik Trice, stolen by James Palmer Jr.
7:28
Isaiah Roby missed turnaround jump shot
7:26
Defensive rebound by Ethan Happ
7:18
+3
Brad Davison made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ethan Happ
21-28
6:53
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:51
Defensive rebound by Brad Davison
6:36
Bad pass turnover on Ethan Happ, stolen by James Palmer Jr.
6:10
James Palmer Jr. missed layup, blocked by Ethan Happ
6:09
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
6:06
Shot clock violation turnover on Nebraska
5:38
+2
Khalil Iverson made jump shot, assist by Aleem Ford
21-30
5:21
Traveling violation turnover on Isaiah Roby
4:54
Brad Davison missed jump shot
4:52
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
4:43
James Palmer Jr. missed jump shot
4:41
Defensive rebound by Khalil Iverson
4:24
Shooting foul on Thorir Thorbjarnarson
4:24
+1
Khalil Iverson made 1st of 2 free throws
21-31
4:24
+1
Khalil Iverson made 2nd of 2 free throws
21-32
4:11
Offensive foul on Isaiah Roby
4:11
Turnover on Isaiah Roby
3:51
+2
Khalil Iverson made reverse layup, assist by Brad Davison
21-34
3:29
+3
Glynn Watson Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot
24-34
3:03
Aleem Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:01
Offensive rebound by Nate Reuvers
2:53
Nate Reuvers missed layup
2:51
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Roby
2:46
Lost ball turnover on Isaiah Roby, stolen by D'Mitrik Trice
2:17
Brad Davison missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:15
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
2:15
Personal foul on Khalil Iverson
2:09
James Palmer Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:07
Offensive rebound by Thorir Thorbjarnarson
1:49
+2
Glynn Watson Jr. made driving layup
26-34
1:25
Bad pass turnover on Ethan Happ
1:08
James Palmer Jr. missed jump shot
1:06
Defensive rebound by Nate Reuvers
38.0
Shot clock violation turnover on Wisconsin
23.0
+3
Glynn Watson Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot
29-34
4.0
Brad Davison missed jump shot, blocked by Glynn Watson Jr.
2.0
Offensive rebound by Wisconsin
0.0
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
1.0
Brad Davison missed 3-pt. jump shot
2nd Half
NEB
Cornhuskers
33
WISC
Badgers
32
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:33
+2
Khalil Iverson made layup
29-36
19:08
+2
Isaiah Roby made jump shot, assist by Glynn Watson Jr.
31-36
18:40
Shot clock violation turnover on Wisconsin
18:29
James Palmer Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:25
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
18:14
Isaiah Roby missed driving layup, blocked by Nate Reuvers
18:12
Defensive rebound by Nate Reuvers
18:08
Brad Davison missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:06
Defensive rebound by Tanner Borchardt
17:59
Personal foul on Brad Davison
17:58
+3
Isaiah Roby made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Glynn Watson Jr.
34-36
17:33
+3
Nate Reuvers made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Khalil Iverson
34-39
17:16
Isaiah Roby missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:14
Defensive rebound by Brad Davison
17:06
Lost ball turnover on Ethan Happ, stolen by Isaiah Roby
17:03
Offensive foul on Glynn Watson Jr.
17:03
Turnover on Glynn Watson Jr.
16:48
D'Mitrik Trice missed jump shot, blocked by Thorir Thorbjarnarson
16:46
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Roby
16:41
Shooting foul on D'Mitrik Trice
16:41
+1
James Palmer Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
35-39
16:41
+1
James Palmer Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
36-39
16:37
Bad pass turnover on Brad Davison
16:23
James Palmer Jr. missed driving layup, blocked by Aleem Ford
16:21
Defensive rebound by Aleem Ford
16:01
Khalil Iverson missed driving layup, blocked by Isaiah Roby
15:59
Defensive rebound by Thorir Thorbjarnarson
15:32
Lost ball turnover on Isaiah Roby, stolen by Khalil Iverson
15:28
Khalil Iverson missed driving layup
15:26
Offensive rebound by Brevin Pritzl
15:26
+2
Brevin Pritzl made dunk
36-41
15:11
+2
Glynn Watson Jr. made jump shot
38-41
14:45
+2
Khalil Iverson made jump shot, assist by D'Mitrik Trice
38-43
14:29
+3
Glynn Watson Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot
41-43
14:15
Offensive foul on Nate Reuvers
14:15
Turnover on Nate Reuvers
14:04
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:02
Defensive rebound by Ethan Happ
13:35
D'Mitrik Trice missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:33
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Roby
13:14
Isaiah Roby missed jump shot
13:12
Defensive rebound by Ethan Happ
13:07
Lost ball turnover on Ethan Happ, stolen by James Palmer Jr.
13:02
Offensive foul on James Palmer Jr.
13:02
Turnover on James Palmer Jr.
12:37
D'Mitrik Trice missed 3-pt. jump shot, blocked by Glynn Watson Jr.
12:35
Defensive rebound by Glynn Watson Jr.
12:33
Personal foul on Aleem Ford
12:31
James Palmer Jr. missed jump shot
12:29
Offensive rebound by Tanner Borchardt
12:09
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:07
Offensive rebound by Isaiah Roby
12:02
Thorir Thorbjarnarson missed finger-roll layup
12:00
Defensive rebound by Aleem Ford
11:50
Brevin Pritzl missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:48
Offensive rebound by Kobe King
11:48
+2
Kobe King made dunk
41-45
11:30
+3
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by James Palmer Jr.
44-45
11:10
Lost ball turnover on Ethan Happ, stolen by Glynn Watson Jr.
10:59
James Palmer Jr. missed layup
10:57
Defensive rebound by Wisconsin
10:29
Nate Reuvers missed layup, blocked by Isaiah Roby
10:27
Offensive rebound by Wisconsin
10:27
Shot clock violation turnover on Wisconsin
10:14
+2
James Palmer Jr. made driving layup
46-45
9:59
Aleem Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:57
Defensive rebound by Johnny Trueblood
9:40
James Palmer Jr. missed turnaround jump shot
9:38
Defensive rebound by Brevin Pritzl
9:11
+3
Nate Reuvers made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kobe King
46-48
8:45
Isaiah Roby missed driving layup, blocked by Nate Reuvers
8:44
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
8:42
James Palmer Jr. missed jump shot
8:41
Offensive rebound by Johnny Trueblood
8:41
Personal foul on Brevin Pritzl
8:40
Isaiah Roby missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:38
Defensive rebound by Brevin Pritzl
8:21
+2
Brad Davison made jump shot
46-50
7:49
Glynn Watson Jr. missed driving layup
7:45
Defensive rebound by Aleem Ford
7:20
Brad Davison missed jump shot
7:18
Offensive rebound by Aleem Ford
7:15
+2
Aleem Ford made dunk
46-52
6:52
James Palmer Jr. missed jump shot
6:50
Defensive rebound by Aleem Ford
6:34
Aleem Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:32
Defensive rebound by James Palmer Jr.
6:26
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:24
Defensive rebound by Brevin Pritzl
5:58
Brad Davison missed jump shot
5:56
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
5:32
Shooting foul on Nate Reuvers
5:32
+1
Isaiah Roby made 1st of 2 free throws
47-52
5:32
+1
Isaiah Roby made 2nd of 2 free throws
48-52
5:20
Personal foul on Johnny Trueblood
5:13
Ethan Happ missed layup
5:11
Offensive rebound by Ethan Happ
4:58
+3
D'Mitrik Trice made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ethan Happ
48-55
4:48
+2
Glynn Watson Jr. made jump shot
50-55
4:20
Lost ball turnover on Ethan Happ, stolen by Johnny Trueblood
4:13
+3
Glynn Watson Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot
53-55
3:56
+2
Aleem Ford made jump shot, assist by D'Mitrik Trice
53-57
3:35
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:33
Defensive rebound by Brevin Pritzl
3:24
Personal foul on James Palmer Jr.
3:22
Personal foul on Glynn Watson Jr.
3:08
Lost ball turnover on Khalil Iverson, stolen by James Palmer Jr.
3:03
+2
Johnny Trueblood made driving layup, assist by James Palmer Jr.
55-57
2:31
Brad Davison missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:29
Offensive rebound by Khalil Iverson
2:29
Personal foul on Isaiah Roby
2:01
Nate Reuvers missed hook shot
1:59
Defensive rebound by Glynn Watson Jr.
1:59
Personal foul on Aleem Ford
1:59
Glynn Watson Jr. missed free throw
1:59
Defensive rebound by Aleem Ford
1:31
Brad Davison missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:29
Defensive rebound by Glynn Watson Jr.
1:14
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:12
Defensive rebound by Brad Davison
50.0
+3
D'Mitrik Trice made 3-pt. jump shot
55-60
41.0
Glynn Watson Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
39.0
Defensive rebound by Brad Davison
39.0
Personal foul on James Palmer Jr.
39.0
+1
Brad Davison made 1st of 2 free throws
55-61
39.0
+1
Brad Davison made 2nd of 2 free throws
55-62
36.0
James Palmer Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
34.0
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
30.0
+2
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made layup, assist by Isaiah Roby