Player Grades From Wisconsin’s 71-62 loss to Michigan State

Wisconsin went into the Breslin Center and competed with Michigan State for most of the contest despite shooting a poor 5-for-32 (15.6 percent) from three-point range and being without Max Klesmit due to a lower-body injury. The loss eliminated Wisconsin from the Big 10 regular season championship race and bumped the Badgers down to 22-7 on the season and 12-6 in conference play. Here’s how I’d grade each Wisconsin player’s performance Sunday:

Nolan Winter: A

Winter has been exceptional this season but, for me, it’s his motor that stands out most. An unrelenting rebounder, Winter logged a career-high 17 boards and notched his third career double-double. He was the only Badgers player to make multiple three-pointers.

John Blackwell: B+

I had some issues with Blackwell’s shot selection during the first half, as he settled for several threes several feet beyond the arc. However, he was Wisconsin’s most effective offensive player and kept the Badgers within striking distance during the second half. There’s still plenty of room for improvement– notably shooting 7-for-19 from the field — but Blackwell’s ability to consistently get to the rim warrants a B+ grade.

Carter Gilmore: B+

Gilmore showed well, tallying a block and a steal while making a pair of baskets during 16 minutes of play. However, he did miss a relatively open layup and committed a turnover, keeping him short of an A grade.

Jack Janicki: B

Janicki put together some highlights Sunday. He stuffed a layup attempt by Carson Cooper and notched an and-one in his only shot attempt. A couple of defensive mistakes, most notably fouling Jase Richardson on a made three-pointer, will keep him at a B.

Steven Crowl: C+

After scoring seven of Wisconsin’s first 10 points, Crowl looked to be in line for a big game. He scored just three points in the following 35 minutes and was invisable offensively. In addition to a lack of scoring production, Crowl logged just four rebounds, which is especially disappointing considering Michigan State’s success on the offensive glass.

Markus Ilver: C

Ilver moved into the rotation Sunday, and although he played merely three minutes, he got a pair of shot attempts up. He went 1-for-2, knocking down one of Wisconsin’s five three-pointers on the day. He didn’t log any other counting stats, so a flat C feels appropriate.

John Tonje: C-

Tonje wasn’t his usual self Sunday, and his 11 points were his fewest since Jan. 18. The Spartans eliminated him in the second half, as Tonje shot 0-for-5 from the field during the period. Tonje struggled to get consistent looks at the rim and could not knock down his three-pointers.

Kamari McGee: F

I sympathize with McGee in the sense that he was forced into a critical role on short notice against one of the best defenses in the country. Still, he failed to make a positive impact. He went 1-for-8 from the field and missed on all five of his three-point attempts while logging a 3:2 assist-to-turnover ratio. McGee didn’t stand out on the defensive end, either, and he finished with a team-worst negative 17 plus-minus.

Xavier Amos: N/A

Per Evan Flood of 247Sports, Greg Gard said that Amos tweaked his ankle in practice and wasn’t at full strength Sunday. Amos played just two minutes in his first, and only, stint.