1. Men's Basketball's No. 1 Associated Press Ranking
On Monday, Feb. 19, the Associated Press voted the Wisconsin men's basketball team its No. 1 team in college basketball. The Badgers leapt over Ohio State, while the Buckeyes claimed the highest spot in the coaches' poll.
The two heavyweights in the Big Ten would play the following Sunday, setting up a No. 1 vs. No. 1 match up. The Buckeyes reigned victorious in its home arena, as the Badgers missed junior forward Brian Butch when he left the game in the first half with an elbow injury.
Wisconsin never truly recovered from the loss of Butch, losing early in the NCAA tournament to an underdog Runnin' Rebel team from Las Vegas.
The No. 1 ranking was the highest ever for Wisconsin men's basketball. Before the 2006-07 season, the Badgers were ranked as high as No. 6 in December of 1962.
2. Women's hockey marathon and second-consecutive championship
In a thrilling four-overtime marathon at the Kohl Center, the women's hockey team defeated Harvard 1-0 en route to a second consecutive NCAA championship.
Junior forward Jinelle Zaugg scored the lone goal of the contest with assists by senior Sara Bauer and sophomore Alycia Matthews in the 127th minute to seal the victory against the Crimson. A Kohl Center-record 5,125 fans saw the nearly two games' worth of skating.
Wisconsin moved on to defeat St. Lawrence 4-0 and Minnesota-Duluth 4-1 at the Frozen Four in Lake Placid, N.Y., to capture the national women's hockey title. Wisconsin (36-1-4) set records for most overall wins, most home wins (19) and highest winning percentage (.927) in NCAA history.
Head coach Mark Johnson earned his second championship in New York after winning the gold medal as a player in the 1980 Olympics.
The quarterfinal game was the second-longest in NCAA history.
3. Ikegwuonu, defense track down McFadden in Capital One Bowl
Wisconsin's defense stymied a powerful Arkansas offense to capture its first 12- win season and second-consecutive Capital One Bowl championship on New Year's Day.
The Badgers, ranked No. 6 entering the game, humbly avoided the hype surrounding the Bowl Championship Series controversy of having three Big Ten teams in the top five rankings, and established themselves nationally by defeating the Razorbacks 17-14.
Wisconsin defensive back Jack Ikegwuonu ran down Arkansas' Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden at the nine-yard line on the third play of the game. The Badgers held Arkansas scoreless on the drive, sending an early message to both the Razorbacks and the country.
Led by Mark Zalewski's game-high nine tackles, Wisconsin's defense was the difference. A third quarter interception by Wisconsin sophomore linebacker Deandre Levy saved the game for the cardinal and white, as the Badgers' 17 first-half points were enough to stave off the Southeastern Conference runners-up.
4. Badgers beat Buckeyes in Big Ten Battle
The No. 3 Wisconsin men's basketball team toppled No. 5 Ohio State 72-69 in game one of what would be a three-part battle to the Big Ten championship. The early showdown of conference-title contenders came to Madison on Jan. 9, 2007, with high expectations, as each was jockeying for position at the top of the national ranks.
Led by senior guard Kammron Taylor's 25 points, Wisconsin beat the Buckeyes in front of a sell-out crowd of 17,190 fans at the Kohl Center. Big Ten Player of the Year Alando Tucker chipped in 17 points and six rebounds to help knock off highly touted freshman Greg Oden and his Ohio State squad.
Oden was held to just 10 points and seven rebounds while committing four fouls in 30 minutes of play.
5. Cleveland Browns draft Joe Thomas at No. 3
With the third overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns selected former Badger offensive tackle Joe Thomas, marking the ninth first-round draft pick from Wisconsin in school history.
As the third overall pick, Thomas was also the third-highest ever for the Badgers. He ranks behind Pat Harder, who went No. 2 in 1944 to the St. Louis Cardinals, and Alan Ameche, who was chosen No. 2 in 1955 by the Baltimore Colts.
The former Badger lineman will help protect former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, who was selected 22nd overall by the Browns on draft Saturday. The two additions will undoubtedly help the Cleveland's offensive woes.
Despite comments from various sportscasters, the Outland Trophy winner was absent from draft headquarters. Thomas received the call from the Cleveland Browns while on an annual fishing trip planned for draft weekend on Lake Michigan with his father and friends.
