The Merriam-Webster dictionary is starting to lose some credibility.
Yesterday, I looked up the definition of 'chaos' in the 2003 college edition but failed to come across an appropriate synonym. Then the perfect one dawned upon me.
Wisconsin basketball when five minutes remain on the game clock.
A condition of great disorder or confusion is exactly what UW fans have seen at the end of regulation this season. Two weeks ago in Ann Arbor, Mi., the Badgers blew a 16-point lead with six-and-a-half minutes remaining. Michigan senior forward LaVell Blanchard and freshman guard Daniel Horton put on a shooting clinic as both hit a barrage of three-pointers against a suddenly soft UW defense.
On Saturday, UW jumped out to an early lead but nearly gave away an 11-point lead with a little more than five minutes left against Ohio State.
A double-digit lead cannot possibly be safe following the final media timeout, when the opposition seems to be unstoppable and the Badgers offense goes stagnant. So what is the problem?
Fatigue will be a concern at the end of the season due to Head Coach Bo Ryan's seven-man rotation, but the present problem seems to be a lack of leadership on a team with only one senior and two juniors. What the Badgers desperately lack is a true floor general.
Give him the ball, spread the court and let him determine the outcome of the game. He doesn't have to score to gain respect, only control and distribute in order manage its flow. No full court press and not even the charity line can alter his demeanor. But who is he?
\He"" was former UW guards Mike Kelley, and Travon Davis, whose leadership roles were sorely missed at crunch time against both Michigan and Ohio State. ""He"" also was former Duke guard Steve Wojciechowski and former Michigan State guard Mateen Cleaves.
All four had the keen abilities to bring their teams to the next level by injecting their killer instincts into teammates, allowing their respective teams to persevere under pressure.
But that person does not exist on this year's squad. Sophomore guard Devin Harris is a great player but seems out of position at point guard.
Meanwhile, true freshman point guard Boo Wade is still maturing into exactly what UW needs, but nobody expects a true frosh to step in and assume that type of leadership role.
On a brighter note, senior guard Kirk Penney followed up his 22-point performance against the University of Minnesota with the game-winning shot against the Buckeyes. Penney, UW's only senior, may need to take on a larger leadership role if UW expects to contend for its second straight Big Ten title.
That quest starts tonight against Iowa, the first of three consecutive home games. But if the chaotic last-minute play continues, UW can forget about a repeat and may very well make an early postseason exit.
Let's hope that Merriam-Webster doesn't have to print a retraction.
