Wagner, Wolverines earn big road win at Wisconsin

Coming off a road lost to Northwestern on Tuesday, Michigan was in need of a big bounce-back performance this afternoon at Wisconsin.

And boy, did the Wolverines do just that.

The Wolverines hit 45 percent of their three-pointers and 56 percent from the field en route to a 83-72 victory over the Badgers.

Junior Moritz Wagner led the way for the Wolverines once again with 20 points and 11 rebounds, earning yet another double-double. Fifth-year senior Duncan Robinson, who played in place of the injured Isaiah Livers, contributed 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting and 4-of-7 from the three-point line. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman finished with 15 points and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.

The first half was straight-up domination from the Wolverines. Robinson hit 4-of-5 three-pointers in the first half, and the team hit 8-of-14 three’s in the opening half. Wisconsin, meanwhile, only hit three three-pointers and 36 percent of its field goals (9-of-25). The score was 44-22 in favor of the Wolverines at the break.

The second half was a bit different, however. Wisconsin, down by 25 points, went on a 16-4 run to make it an 11-point game with just under eight minutes left in the contest. But Michigan and Wisconsin traded buckets after that, and after the Wolverines survived another round of “Hack-a-Simpson,” the game was the Wolverines’ for the taking.

This was a big game for Robinson. The fifth-year senior had a lot to prove by starting in place of Livers, who injured his ankle against Northwestern earlier this week. Robinson started hot, but didn’t get a ton of chances in the second half to contribute to the score. Regardless, Robinson held his own in this one, including defensively, and showed why he should at least receive a split in playing time with Livers when he comes back.

Michigan improves to 20-7 on the season and 9-5 in the conference. Wisconsin, meanwhile, falls to 11-16 overall and 4-10 in the conference.

Michigan returns home Wednesday to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes.