Wisconsin Destroys Ohio State in Critical B1G Game

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Ohio State never had a chance.

Wisconsin defended the Kohl Center with style on Sunday afternoon to the tune of 71-49. The Badgers shot a blistering 54 percent from the field and controlled the contest for 40 minutes.

Looking ahead on the Badgers’ schedule, it is difficult to see them losing more than one more time the rest of the year (at Michigan State). Where that will put them in the Big Ten remains to be seen.

As for the Buckeyes, Sunday marked the seventh loss in eight tries against ranked teams this season. For a team that was ranked in the top five to start the year, that is a very disappointing stat.

Jared Berggren and Ben Brust both led the Badgers with 15 points, but the attack was spread out among almost everyone Bo Ryan threw on the court. Up next for Wisconsin is a road trip to Northwestern, while the Buckeyes come home to take on Minnesota.

2:54 PM ET

Wisconsin 71, Ohio State 49 FINAL

The game is mercifully over for the Buckeyes, but from a Badger perspective this may be the most impressive effort of the season outside of the win in Bloomington. Look out for Wisconsin going forward, especially with a relatively light schedule outside of a trip to East Lansing.

2:52 PM ET

Wisconsin fans with the perpetually frustrating "overrated" chant. All that says is your win wasn't as impressive as the rankings would indicate.

2:50 PM ET

I think too much blame is put on basketball coaches. There's never been a coach who kept his player from becoming a better shooter.
— Tony Gerdeman (@GerdOzone) February 17, 2013

2:49 PM ET

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Just to clarify, Bo Ryan has every right to have his major guys out there. It is Ohio State's job to stop them, and the Buckeyes aren't doing it.

2:48 PM ET

RYAN EVANS TOMAHAWK TIPSLAM!
— MadTown Badgers (@MTBadgers) February 17, 2013

2:47 PM ET

Wisconsin 65, Ohio State 41 (3:30 second half)

All of Wisconsin's major contributors on the floor still. Bo Ryan really wants to rub this one in.

2:41 PM ET

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The guy in the Wheat Thins commercial defends his wheat thins better than Ohio State defends the paint.

2:39 PM ET

Slam Dekker? What flush on a feed from Jackson! #Badgers
— Patrick Herb (@BadgerMBB) February 17, 2013

2:38 PM ET

Not yet but since you asked.....Wisconsin. Sharpie. RT @espnandykatz:Just checking if you've gone sharpie on Wisconsin-Ohio State.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 17, 2013

2:37 PM ET

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Raise your hand if you had Amedeo Della Valle as the Buckeyes' leader in three-pointers and blocks for this game.

2:35 PM ET

Was Thad Matta asking Bo Ryan if this game can be called early?

2:34 PM ET

Matta's been saying for 2 weeks that there's a lot of basketball left. At this point, not sure that's good thing.
— Zac Jackson (@FSOhioZJackson) February 17, 2013

2:33 PM ET

The Buffalo Wild Wings slow motion commercial is exactly how quickly this game is going for Ohio State fans.

2:30 PM ET

They honestly may be. RT @bigtengeeks: At this point, Wisconsin might have the best perimeter defense in the country.
— MadTown Badgers (@MTBadgers) February 17, 2013

2:27 PM ET

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Wisconsin 55, Ohio State 35 (9:45 second half)

And Della Valle is in. Matta has officially thrown in the white towel.

2:27 PM ET

Badgers fans having fun with this one. Michigan will always be Ohio State's top rival but in football and basketball these games have been more competitive in the past 10 years.

2:22 PM ET

Yeah, "effort level" and "hustle" are overused words in college basketball, but, yeah. Yeah.
— Vico (@ourhonordefend) February 17, 2013

2:21 PM ET

Wisconsin 53, Ohio State 33 (12:15 second half)

The Buckeyes will lose every game the rest of the year and be a high seed in the NIT if they play like this.

2:20 PM ET

.@badgermbb is making us feel like THE University of Wisconsin-Madison.
— UW-Madison (@UWMadison) February 17, 2013

2:18 PM ET

Wisconsin 48, Ohio State 31 (14:40 second half)

Jackson with an unbelievable shot. It's just the Badgers' day today.

2:14 PM ET

Pretty telling how much space Traevon Jackson is giving Aaron Craft on the three-point line.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) February 17, 2013

2:10 PM ET

Wisconsin 41, Ohio State 26 (18:26 second half)

This game won't end until 5:30 if Teddy Valentine has his way. Loves the camera.

2:08 PM ET

I was kind of hoping Thad Matta would've sent out Amir Williams on a grocery run. Pick up sandwiches and smokes so he'd miss the 2nd half.
— Vico (@ourhonordefend) February 17, 2013

2:08 PM ET

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Amir Williams has played about eight seconds and has three fouls. If there is no improvement in his game by next year he could go down as one of the most disappointing Thad Matta recruits ever.

2:06 PM ET