Badgers knock down No. 12 ranked Illini

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MADISON - Jared Berggren had the first double-double of his career at Wisconsin, scoring 15 points and taking down a dozen rebounds in the Badgers’ surprisingly-easy 74-51 romp past Illinois Saturday afternoon at the Kohl Center.

The Fighting Illini came in ranked No. 12 in the country, but they have now lost four of their last six. The margin of victory for Wisconsin was the largest in the series since 1974.

Wisconsin scored the first 14 points and led at 20 at halftime, 39-19. A smothering Badger defense held Illinois to 35 percent shooting. Traevon Jackson had 14 for Wisconsin. Even the Illinois players admitted Wisconsin just out-hustled them, beating them to loose balls, rebounding missed free throws and maintaining possessions.

The win is the sixth in a row for coach Bo Ryan’s team. Wisconsin now has an overall record of 12-4 and has won its first three games in Big Ten Conference play. Next up for UW is No. 5 ranked Indiana on Tuesday in Bloomington, Ind.

Tags: wisconsin sports, proam, basketball, badgers