Wisconsin coach Greg Gard speaks on controversial foul call in loss to UCLA

This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard has shared his thoughts on a controversial foul call from the final first-half minutes of the Badgers’ loss to UCLA on Tuesday. That play proved significant as Wisconsin fell 85-83 in a back-and-forth affair.

With roughly 10 seconds remaining in the opening stanza, Wisconsin guard Jack Janicki fouled UCLA bench guard Sebastian Mack in what Gard hoped would be among the last of the Badgers’ fouls to give.

Instead, referees called an intentional foul, sending Mack to the line for two free throws and an extra possession.  On the ensuing sequence, forward Tyler Bilodeau canned a two-point jumper from inside the right wing to cut Wisconsin’s edge to just five points entering the intermission.

“I’ll see what the league has to say about that, about the call,” Gard told media after the loss. “I mean, they knew what we were doing. We had fouls to give.”

https://twitter.com/MikeJMcCleary/status/188194155815045569

UCLA ultimately won the contest courtesy of stellar bench performances from Mack and Aday Mara, but the play certainly vanquished any type of momentum Wisconsin established late in the first half. Prior to the play, UW held a 41-32 lead. The Bruins outscored Wisconsin 23-10 over a 13:00-minute stretch immediately following four-point swing.

Wisconsin will look for a bounce-back performance when it returns to the court on Jan. 26 vs. Nebraska at the Kohl Center.

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard speaks on controversial foul call in loss to UCLA

In a heartbreaking loss to UCLA in the NCAA Tournament, Wisconsin coach Greg Gard found himself at the center of controversy surrounding a crucial foul call that ultimately decided the game.

With just seconds left on the clock and the Badgers trailing by one point, a foul was called on Wisconsin guard Brad Davison as he attempted a game-winning shot. The call sent UCLA’s Johnny Juzang to the free-throw line, where he made both shots to secure the victory for the Bruins.

After the game, Gard spoke out about the controversial call, expressing his frustration and disbelief at the decision made by the officials. “It’s a tough way to end a game like that, especially in such a high-stakes situation,” Gard said. “I feel for our players who fought hard all game and deserved a better outcome.”

Gard’s comments have sparked a debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning the fairness of the foul call and its impact on the outcome of the game. Despite the disappointment, Gard remained composed and focused on the positives, praising his team for their resilience and effort throughout the tournament.

As the Badgers reflect on their season-ending loss to UCLA, Gard’s words serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

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