Jordan Taylor elevates game to next level

By Conor O’Brien

cmo5041@gmail.com

As expected (see “Wisconsin will hand OSU its first loss") undefeated and number one ranked Ohio State fell to the Badgers of Wisconsin Saturday afternoon in the Kohl Center.

The Badgers came out hot, hitting a bevy of threes and playing stout defense in the opening minutes. But their offense came to a screeching halt late in the first half and early on in the second, stymied by the suffocating defense of Ohio State. Wisconsin has made a reputation on hitting deflating high percentage shots after methodically running down the shot clock, but was often forced into off balance looks early on. Ohio State was able to extend a sizeable lead as the scolding hot shooting of junior stand-out William Bufford torched Wisconsin’s defense. Bufford finished with 21 points.

But that all changed with about 14 minutes left in the game after the Buckeyes silenced the crowd and took their largest lead of the game, 45-30. Taylor’s brilliant play helped the Badgers go on a 32-12 run and reclaim the lead 62-57 under four minutes to play.

With the crowd in a malaise and the Buckeyes seemingly on their way to a 25^th consecutive win; Taylor took over by hitting 3-pointers on three successive possessions. Each time Ohio State would answer with a bucket, Taylor was the one who wanted the ball in his hands with the shot clock winding down. Not afraid to take the big shot in the big moment, he is quickly becoming one of the best players in the conference and electric guards in the country. He finished the game with 27 points, (8-13, 5-8 three-pointers) and seven assists.

The Badgers were able to shorten the game once they reclaimed the lead, and the Buckeyes struggled to recover. Senior forward Jon Leur outfought Jared Sullinger as he ripped down a monster rebound with 2:08 to play. Ohio State had momentum and was looking to cut the lead, but Leur’s rebound helped Wisconsin kill more clock.

Ohio State did reduce the lead to 65-63 after Sullinger completed a three point play, but the unsung hero Mike Bruesewitz delivered the dagger, a three-point jump shot with one second left on the shot clock and 29 seconds remaining in the game. Bruesewitz proved to be monumental, shooting 4-5 from the field and finishing with 12 points.

Ryan improves to 6-0 all time against the Buckeyes in the Kohl Center and the Badgers remains unbeaten at home. Ohio State will be a force to be reckoned with in the tournament, but this was a momentous win for Wisconsin. They will be ranked inside the top 10 come Monday and have a real shot to claim as high as a two or a three seed if they can continue this success.