The Wisconsin Badgers handled the North Dakota Fighting Sioux by the score of 85-53 at the Kohl Center. The Badgers have never dropped a game at home in November under Bo Ryan, extending that streak to 26 on Tuesday.
It was no surprise the Badgers were the first ranked team the Fighting Sioux have played since transitioning to Division One because North Dakota (1-1) really had no chance in this one. Wisconsin (2-2) currently ranks #25 in the preseason ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and received the 27th most votes in the AP Rankings.
By: Nick Grays
What It Means: The Badgers didn’t put forth the prettiest of wins evident from their 13 turnovers, but they did do some work down low. After shooting 31 three-pointers versus Prairie View A&M, the Badgers took another approach on Tuesday by scoring 40 of their 85 points in the paint. Keaton Nankivil was a huge help with 17 points as one of the five Badgers to reach double-digit point totals.
Player of the Game: Senior Forward Jon Leuer 
Leuer wasn’t named to the Naismith Player of the Year preseason watch list for nothing. For the second straight game, Leuer was dangerous behind the arc while dropping a game-high 22 points and grabbing six rebounds. The senior has now amassed four straight games with 20 or more points dating back to last season.
In addition to his ability to score and work the boards, Leuer also dished out seven assists. If the Badgers first two games are any barometer of the season to come, Leuer will surely be a front-runner for the Big Ten Player of the Year. The Sports Bank’s College Basketball guru David Kay has already predicted the award to be Leuer’s by season’s end.
Highlight of the Night: It wasn’t all bad for North Dakota as one of their guards and Milwaukee native, Troy Huff, threw
down a slam with 14:20 in the second half. Huff has to be pumped with the dunk in front of somewhere around 25 of his friends and family in the house. Unfortunately for the Fighting Sioux, it only brought the deficit to a daunting 30 points. Huff did go on to have a great game while pacing the North Dakota offense with 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting.
Stat of the Game: With 20 assists on 31 made baskets, Wisconsin has now dished out at least 20 assists in back-to-back games. The last time the Badgers had consecutive games with 20+ assists was when it tallied 24 vs. Florida A&M on Nov. 16, 2007 and 21 vs. Colorado on Nov. 17.
Quotables: “I thought Wisconsin did what they normally do to most opponents in this building: they really dominated in the paint. With our lack of size and strength, I thought they did a tremendous job getting the ball in the paint, regardless of the position,” said North Dakota Head Coach Nate Jones.
“It’s five parts, not two. Teammates need to feed off one another, encourage one another and play off one another. Hopefully that keeps progressing, but we’re not there yet,” answered Bo Ryan after a question on Leuer and Nankivil feeding off one another.
“Yeah, I don’t think we’re going to stay at the Wynn like I stayed at; 36th floor, penthouse suite, but we don’t need to talk about all that. I have a little experience playing at the Thomas & Mack center for whatever that’s worth, I don’t know. I’m looking forward to going back there and if we stick to what we do well, we can leave with a road win,” said Leuer after being asked how it will feel to go back to Vegas.
What’s Next: On November 20th, the Badgers will face their first true road test against the UNLV Rebels (1-0) at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Rebels bring back a solid squad who finished 25-9 last season and were ousted by Northern Iowa in the first round of the NCAA tournament. In the last meeting between these two teams, it was the Rebels who knocked out Bo Ryan and the Badgers in the first round of the 2006-07 NCAA tournament.
After the quick trip to Sin City, the Badgers will fly across the country to take part in the 2010 Old Spice Classic at the Milk House in Orlando, FL. The event includes a talented field including the likes of Boston College, California, Georgia, Manhattan, Notre Dame, Temple, Texas A&M and Wisconsin. Last year, it was Florida State who beat Marquette in the final of the Old Spice Classic.
What did you think of the Badgers win over North Dakota? Let me know by commenting below!
Rapid Reaction Archive:
Wisconsin 99 Prairie View A&M 55 (11-16-10)
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