The Wisconsin Badgers had no business winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers after they dug a six-foot deep grave and then lay in it. They were down 20 at one point and 18 at the half. It was the worst half of basketball ever under head coach Greg Gard. He didn’t fly into a rage at halftime but was clearly hot with his team, and his message to them helped spark the comeback.
John Blackwell was asked about that message in the postgame press conference. He didn’t get into all the details, though, from the various answers from both players and Gard about the comeback; you can see what the message was. However, Blackwell said that the simple message that helped was actually a challenge for the leaders. To communicate, play physical, and lead the team.
Greg Gard challenged his leaders to be better and to communicate better at half-time
Related: Wisconsin hit with sudden injury scare as Aleksas Bieliauskas exits vs. Minnesota
The Badgers went from a 35-17 halftime deficit to the Golden Gophers and ended up winning the game 67-63. The key to the Badgers’ win was the defense, and it was the leaders who helped get it started…