Ad Disclosure
Greg Gard discusses benefits of reserve players coming into Western Michigan game late
By Michael Daly
Published:
Greg Gard noted the benefits of a tune-up game against Western Michigan on Friday. This was much a needed breather for the team, and it showed on the court.
Wisconsin held on for a 10-point win and the starters contributed to the double-digit win. Some of the starters were taken out in the final 2 minutes of the game and Gard gave other reserved players time on the floor at the end of the game.
Gard spoke about how the late-game lineup will help with his team’s experience (Via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel):
“It is good for them. But it’s also good for the guys that are in there at the end. To get 2½ minutes for Markus (Ilver) and a little extra time for Kamari (McGee). There are going to be times when they’re going to have play more than 2½ minutes.”
Crowl led the Badgers in scoring with 25 points. He added 8 rebounds and 2 assists to his performance. Tyler Wahl and Chucky Hepburn were the only other players to score double-digit point totals in the win.
Out of the 13 players who appeared in Friday’s win, 9 of them scored at least 1 point. Wisconsin will return to action against Minnesota on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 9 p.m. ET.