Wisconsin bounces Michigan from Big Ten tournament

Chicago — This time, there wasn't a last-second 3-pointer or a thrilling overtime.

Unlike the first meeting this season between Michigan and Wisconsin — a 65-62 overtime victory at Madison on Feb. 9 — both teams struggled offensively, totaling 37 points in the first half of Friday's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal.

But the Badgers got better production in the final 20 minutes and eliminated No. 5 seed Michigan, 68-59, at the United Center.

The Wolverines (26-7) will await Sunday's announcement of the NCAA Tournament field to find out their next opponent. They'll likely be a third seed and open at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Wisconsin (22-10), the tournament's No. 4 seed, advanced to today's semifinals to face top-seeded Indiana, which beat Illinois.

"They really played a particularly great second half," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "Their run of threes there in the second half was a huge part of this game."

The Badgers shot 17 percent on field goals in the first half but U-M led by just three because it wasn't much better, hitting just 10 of 29 field goals. Wisconsin trailed, 18-10, but had a 7-2 spurt in the final minute to cut the deficit to three at halftime.

Traevon Jackson (16 points) hit a 3-pointer with five seconds left — following his two free throws and two by Sam Dekker.

"(That was) seven of our points," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. "You're probably thinking why didn't I do that the other 19 minutes? They didn't get down on themselves and (you didn't see) a look on our guys' eyes that we can't score or we're frustrated."

The Badgers weathered the storm as their shots started falling in the second half, when they converted 61 percent (17-of-28) from the field. They moved ahead, 26-24, at the 16:53 mark after back-to-back baskets by Jared Berggren — their first lead since the opening minute of the game. Frank Kaminsky added a 3-pointer, completing a 10-0 spurt.

U-M got its first field goal of the half after Mitch McGary (nine points and seven rebounds) hit a putback at the 14:43 mark.

"We fought back well; as badly as we shot offensively, we had a lot of open looks and they just didn't fall today, said Trey Burke, who had 19 points and seven assists. "Hopefully, we learn from this because the next time we don't learn from it, we'll be done for the season."

Wisconsin got consecutive baskets from Ryan Evans (12 points, six rebounds and six assists), but Hardaway answered with a 3-pointer. The Badgers scored the next seven points to take their largest lead, 56-45, after a 3-pointer by Ben Brust (14 points, eight rebounds) with 5:59 remaining. Brust's shot seemed to energize the Wisconsin offense, which looked to finish out the game after a lackluster first 20 minutes.

"It's not like we played lights-out defensively. Michigan really attacked harder and made some shots, too," Ryan said. "When you score, it does change your frame of mind — we're human. Anybody that's ever played the game where success doesn't get you going a little more, get your though process a little more acute and intense and much deeper focus."

Michigan had another run, scoring the next nine points — all by Burke and McGary — to cut the deficit to 56-54. But Wisconsin responded with five straight points, pushing the lead back to seven.

"It's not like we played lights-out defensively. Michigan really attacked harder and made some shots, too," Ryan said. "When you score, it does change your frame of mind — we're human. Anybody that's ever played the game where success doesn't get you going a little more, get your though process a little more acute and intense and much deeper focus."

The Badgers finished the game by hitting 8 of 10 free throws, five by Jackson.

Michigan opened the game with a 16-6 lead in the first 13 minutes and appeared to be rolling to a lopsided win. But Wisconsin's push just before halftime kept the margin close.