Greg Gard shares his thoughts following Wisconsin's 81-66 victory over Michigan State

The Wisconsin Badgers handled the Michigan State Spartans with ease on Friday night, bringing home a comfortable 81-66 victory. The Badgers jumped out to a nine-point lead at halftime and didn’t look back, eventually doubling that margin at one point in the second half. With the win, Wisconsin completed a two-game sweep of the Spartans for the first time since 2003-2004.

Following the victory, Badgers head coach Greg Gard spoke with the FOX broadcast crew.

"If you're good, I'll play ya! It's simple."

Hear from @BadgerMBB head coach Greg Gard after their win at home against Michigan State ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/N8AeshrCkO

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 27, 2024

How would he describe this year’s version of the Wisconsin offense?

“I think, first of all, we’re experienced. We had everybody back from last year,” Gard began. “That [and] we’ve added some good pieces. You know, we’ve got an unselfish group. We did a good job of taking care of the ball tonight. We got pretty much a lot of high percentage shots. And I’ve got a deep team. So, I can go to a lot of guys and rest starters when I need to and get great contributions off the bench.”

The Badgers are putting up 81 points a game at home. How has Gard been able to maintain the fundamentals of the Wisconsin basketball program, plus adding in the additional scoring this season?

“Well, it’s really pretty simple. If you have good kids in your locker room that are for each other. And for the team and want to win. Then they understand what it’s gonna take to win,” Gard said.

“And you know, we’re scoring more points, but I think the biggest thing is we’re more efficient. We’re getting high percentage shots, we’re playing with a little more tempo. When the ball moves, we can play inside, we can play outside. We had a grinder the other night at Minnesota. Today was a little more up tempo. So, I think we have the ability to adapt. And like I said, I’ve got a deep bench. I can go 10, 11, 12 deep, and not have a lot of drop off.”

Sophomore A.J. Storr put on an impressive show on Saturday night, pouring in 28 points, one shy of his career-high. He transferred into the program this offseason from St. John’s. How have Gard and the coaching staff gotten him adapted so quickly to things in order for him to be having so much success?

“He’s bought in. He’s been great to coach. He listens. He knew he wanted to come here to get better and add pieces to his game that he didn’t have. And he’s done that. And his teammates have done an awesome job. From when he got here in mid-June, started this summer. They took him under their wing. And really showed him and got him to understand that he’s still learning,” Gard continued.

He made his final pitch to any talented prospects out there interested in the Badger program. If a player is talented enough in his program, they’ll see the floor.

“There’s a lot of things he’s gotta get better at, but you know, you have him, you have John Blackwell comes in as a freshman, Nolan Winter as a freshman. If you’re good, I’ll play ya. It’s simple. I don’t care if you’re a freshman or a fifth-year senior,” Gard finished.