In arguably their biggest game of the year, the Wisconsin Badgers were dealt with an unexpected form of adversity: Kamari McGee’s controversial Flagrant 2 late in the first half due to an inadvertent blow to the midsection while fighting through a screen.
McGee, who has been seen as the heartbeat of the team, had been enjoying a career year as his shot, playmaking, and overall game IQ improved, while the tenacity and defensive pressure that kept him in the rotation last year remained.
And his departure came at a time when Wisconsin was slowly clawing into Purdue’s lead in the first half, looking to add some momentum heading into the locker room.