43 Days to B1G Basketball: That Night Frank Kaminsky Scored 43 Points

In Frank Kaminsky’s first two years with the Badgers, he scored a total of 196 points in 67 games. The big man wasn’t quite yet the star he would go on to become, especially with Wisconsin having Jared Berggren around.

Even early on in 2013-14 it wasn’t known if Kaminsky was going to be the answer inside, though he was productive enough in the first three games of the season (averaging 8.7 and 5.3 rebounds per game).

Then came the North Dakota game.

In the fourth game of the season the Badgers would go on to knock off North Dakota 103-85, with the 7’0” center officially breaking out. Kaminsky ended up with 43 points on the night, hitting 16 of his 19 field goals (6 of 6 from three) and making 5 of 6 free throws.

Kaminsky’s 43 point performance was a team record for the Badgers, edging Michael Finley and Ken Barnes previous mark of 42. The 43 points decimated Frank’s previous high of 19 points the year before, which was one of only five times he reached double figures before his 43 point outing.

“As a basketball player you want every shot to go in,” said Kaminsky on his performance. “When most of them are going in, it’s going to feel great. I can’t really describe it. It’s an awesome feeling. Looking back on the game now and being able to see the stats and everything, it was an awesome game.”

The junior’s quick start to the season was much needed for a Wisconsin program that was replacing three frontcourt starters from the year before. Kaminsky would go on to help lead the Badgers to the Final Four that season before dropping to Kentucky by a single point.

As for Kaminsky, he built off of an explosive final two years at Wisconsin and is now starting to get up and running at Charlotte in the NBA. The center averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in an improved second season.