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Wisconsin HC Greg Gard shares players’ thoughts on Christmas Day matchup with MSU
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Wisconsin kicked off conference play Tuesday evening, pulling away from an eager but overmatched Nebraska team in the second half.
The Huskers started well in the game, pushing the Badgers throughout the first half and trailing by just one point at the break. However, Wisconsin kicked up the defensive pressure and pulled away during a strong second half for the 67-53 victory.
The latest win moved the Badgers to 7-1 on the season after opening B1G play with a victory. It was also the fourth time in eight games that Wisconsin held a team under 60 points.
Following the win, head coach Greg Gard took the opportunity to look ahead to Friday’s Christmas Day game. That matchup will be against Tom Izzo and the No. 12 Michigan State Spartans, a team that always gives the Badgers fits.
Gard believes there is a great explanation for those struggles: Izzo’s teams are usually really good.
Greg Gard on team's struggles at Michigan State: "The biggest reason we haven't won there is they're really good … They are one of the best." #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) December 23, 2020
Gard also took the time to address how his players feel about playing on Christmas Day. Some fans and analysts reacted negatively to the idea of playing on Christmas, but Gard insisted his players were excited to learn about the possibility of playing on Christmas.
Since the players will not be able to go home anyway, they are looking forward to the top-15 matchup:
#Badgers coach Greg Gard on playing MSU on Christmas Day. Said players were all for it when they learned it was an option.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) December 23, 2020
Greg Gard said his players wanted to play on Christmas Day (because they wouldn't be able to go home) and this game was an option for them.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) December 23, 2020
Hopefully the game goes off without a hitch and proves to be a good one the entire way. Tipoff is set for Friday at 12:30 pm EST.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.