The Pitt players didn’t like it, but it was clear to them upon watching the video evidence that Wisconsin simply outworked and outhustled them throughout the game.

“I think we got outworked,” said Kendall, a senior power forward. “That’s really what it came down to. We were making shots. A couple of our guys played really well. But really, we just got outhustled. They had more energy. They were more ready to play.

“That’s disappointing. I don’t think we got out-skilled or anything. It was just the little things. They were hustling, getting loose balls, things like that. That’s what we’ve been addressing the last few days, having that work ethic and being ready to go.”

Two telling statistics demonstrate Pitt’s sluggish play against the Badgers. Wisconsin outrebounded Pitt, 41-31, and Pitt had 28 personal fouls, which sent the Badgers to the free-throw line 44 times.

“It usually goes that the team that hustles more gets most of the calls,” junior guard Ronald Ramon said. “That sums it up right there. We didn’t play with the same intensity that they did. That’s why every call went their way. We didn’t play as hard as we should have.

“I’m pretty sure I’m speaking for my entire team when I say we were disappointed in that. We’re the ones playing. We didn’t execute and we didn’t play hard. They were better than us that day. We have to make sure we get back to playing the way we play.”

Both Kendall and Ramon added that the team in general had gotten a little complacent. Coach Dixon, as is his style defended the players from charges of being outworked, but at the same time conceded that the team needed to do a lot more in light of the game.

Players getting physical in practices seemed to have resumed after the loss with Sam Young and Levance Fields ending up with bloody lips.