Wisconsin basketball: 2019-20 season review and 2020-2021 early preview

Memorable Moments

Wisconsin wins an in-state showdown with Marquette

The Badgers had some difficulty winning big games without Micah Potter, but they managed to secure a big one back in November against Marquette. Markus Howard, one of the nation’s leading scorers, was stifled by a smothering Wisconsin defense that held him to 18 points on a miserable 6-21 shooting performance. Senior Brevin Pritzl dominated, scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.

Wisconsin rallies late to top Ohio State in Columbus

This matchup early in the conference season was big for Wisconsin, which was squaring off with an Ohio State squad that was ranked fifth in the country. The Badgers trailed for most of the second half before Reuvers’ jumper with 1:54 to go gave Wisconsin a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The win was a big confidence booster for the Badgers since they were able to take down a top-5 program on their floor.

Wisconsin gets blown out at Minnesota

There was a solid month where Wisconsin couldn’t lose at home but also couldn’t win on the road. This was highlighted on Feb. 5, when the Badgers went to Minnesota and were thoroughly dominated by a Golden Gophers team that entered the contest 11-10. Wisconsin trailed by 13 at the break and never was in a game they ended up losing by 18.

Wisconsin caps a remarkable stretch run with a Big Ten title

That loss at Minnesota would be the last the Badgers suffered this season. Wisconsin finished the year with eight straight wins, including a 60-56 win at Indiana to end the regular season with a share of the Big Ten’s regular-season title. That result was almost unfathomable a month prior, but the Badgers earned their share with a remarkable surge.