UW vs. Coppin State: Beyond the Box
December 20, 2008 | Men's Basketball
Star of the Game
Not much discussion here. Sophomore forward Jon Leuer was a difference-maker for the Badgers early and often in Saturday''s 57-46 win over Coppin State. Leuer led the Badgers and tied for the game-high with 16 points and hauled down six rebounds, including three offensive boards. He sparked the UW with 12 first-half points on 6-for-8 shooting in just 10 minutes on the floor. He contributed six points to the Badgers'' game-changing 11-0 run early in the first half (see Turning Point of the Game below) and brought the Kohl Center crowd to its feet with a thunderous dunk as part of that outburst (see Play of the Game below).
Play of the Game
The Leuer-from-Landry tandem worked well in the first half, with senior Marcus Landry feeding teammate Jon Leuer for back-to-back baskets as part of an 11-0 run that opened the game up for the Badgers in the first half. After dishing to Leuer for a layup with 14:07 to play, Landry contributed to the play of the game on the Badgers' next trip down the floor. It was Leuer that finished it, though, as he took the feed from Landry, elevated and stretched out for a thunderous slam. The dunk gave the Badgers a 16-7 lead with 13:50 to play.
Turning Point of the Game
A huge spurt by the Badgers over a stretch of about eight minutes midway through the first half gave the Badgers all the cushion they needed to pull off their ninth-consecutive win at the Kohl Center. After the Eagles took a 5-4 lead just over two minutes into the contest, the Badgers broke loose on a 21-6 run that had them leading, 25-11, at the 9:23 mark of the period.
Within that run, however, was an 11-0 spurt that turned a 7-7 tie with 15:57 to play into an 18-7 lead at the 11:47 mark. Leuer contributed six of the Badgers'' 11 points over that stretch, which was characterized with excellent ball movement. Four of the UW''s five baskets during the run came off assists, and the Badgers shot 5-for-8 from the floor while building their lead.
Coppin State cut the UW lead to eight points twice during the remainder of the half, but that was as close as the visitors would come.
Stat of the Game
Nothing new about this one. The Badgers improved to 8-0 on the season when out-rebounding their opponent, and Saturday's effort on the glass was as dominant as they come. The Badgers owned a 36-19 lead on the glass, including an 18-6 lead at halftime. The UW grabbed 12 offensive rebounds that led to a 17-0 advantage in second-chance points.
Game Notes
Saturday''s win was the Badgers'' ninth-consecutive home win dating back to a loss to a 72-67 loss to Purdue (Feb. 9, 2008). ' The UW has now won 20 consecutive games against non-ranked opponents, dating back to a 60-56 loss to unranked Purdue (Jan. 26, 2008). ' The Badgers improved to 2-0 all-time against Coppin State, with both wins coming in Madison. 'The UW is now 10-0 all-time against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. ' With 12 offensive rebounds, the Badgers have now posted double-digit totals for offensive boards in six of their 11 games this season. ' Coppin State''s 19 rebounds were the fewest by a UW opponent this season. ' The Badgers were whistled for just 10 fouls, marking the third time this season they have been charged with 10 or fewer. ' The two free throws attempted by the Badgers were the team''s fewest attempts from the charity stripe this season.
