Wisconsin basketball season-opening win over Holy Cross was not as decisive as the final score of 85-61 indicates.

The Badgers were led by the Crusaders, ESPN BPI’s No. 331 team (of 364) in the sport, 13-3 in the opening minutes of the game, 23-7 midway through the first half and 36- 35 at halftime. A push in the second half led by transfer winger John Tonje created enough of a gap for the final score to indicate wire-to-wire dominance despite the Badgers’ significant early deficit.

Related: The biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

This separation especially led to a big moment for Badgers head coach Greg Gard and his son, Isaac.

Isaac, a junior goalie, got a minute of action in the final moments of the game. He made that limited action count, scoring three points for the first points of his college career:

Isaac joined the team as a replacement ahead of the 2022-23 season. He played five games that season, then six games in 2023-24. He was only 0/2 from the field in those 11 appearances as a freshman and sophomore.

The reaction from the Wisconsin bench spoke volumes, highlighted by John Blackwell’s leap into the air.

Greg Gard highlighted this reaction when speaking about the post-match moment:

“It’s a credit to (Isaac),” Gard said. “He spent time on it. He became a better player. He got bigger and stronger, it’s amazing what a weight room four days a week can do for someone… I’m here trying to get guys into the game, and I knew as the shot clock was winding down. . Just the reaction of his teammates. For them, yes, he’s the coach’s son, but he’s one of the guys. And they know at home that he’s my son. But in training, he’s one of the guys. It’s nice. It’s obviously cool for him.

The Badgers head coach continued to reflect on this moment:

“I don’t think his mom was at the game tonight, so I’m sure she’ll be mad at me for not being able to see him live,” Gard continued. “He works as much as everyone else. He’s in the weight room, he’s running the hill. It’s tough being a coach’s kid. I wasn’t able to be there all the time because he was growing up, as were our other two children. By spending this time with him day after day, you don’t make up time, but you don’t lose more time. And he also proved he can be a handful some days when he comes off screens and hits threes. He gives John Tonje nightmares… Just the team around him, that’s the interesting part to watch. They are happy for him and I am happy for him too. Time flies, so you have to take advantage of it. You can’t train your son forever.

Wisconsin returns to the Kohl Center court on Thursday against Montana State. The team will be looking to secure another resounding victory, big enough for Gard to empty the bench again late in the second half.

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