Wisconsin, Madison made a resounding statement on the road, dismantling Penn State 98-71 at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Badgers' performance was a far cry from the closely contested matchup CHD Scout predicted, with a projected 3.1-point margin of victory. Instead, Wisconsin's dominant display saw them lead by as many as 30 points, outscoring the Nittany Lions 50-22 in the first half.
Braeden Carrington led the charge for Wisconsin, scoring 17 points as part of a balanced attack that saw three players reach double figures. John Blackwell added 17 points and 5 assists, while Nolan Winter chipped in with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Badgers' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with their 50-point first half setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Penn State, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace. Josh Reed was a bright spot for the Nittany Lions, scoring 18 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Freddie Dilione V added 17 points, and Mason Blackwood contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome the Badgers' onslaught.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The Nittany Lions' 22-point first half was a major concern, as they were unable to find any rhythm on offense. Wisconsin, meanwhile, was relentless, pushing the ball in transition and knocking down open shots. The Badgers' 48-point second half was more of the same, as they continued to pull away from Penn State.
CHD Scout's prediction of a 3.1-point Wisconsin win was correct in terms of the outcome, but the actual margin of victory was a staggering 27 points. The Badgers' dominant performance will undoubtedly boost their resume, particularly given that this was a Quadrant 2 game for both teams. With a current net ranking of 39, Wisconsin want to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
For Penn State, the loss drops them to 9-10 on the season, with a net ranking of 112. While this was a Quadrant 2 game for the Nittany Lions, the lopsided nature of the defeat may raise some concerns about their tournament chances. As it stands, Penn State must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason. Wisconsin, on the other hand, has clearly stated its case as a formidable opponent, and their resume will undoubtedly benefit from this impressive road win.