When the Wisconsin Badgers and Kentucky Wildcats squared off at the Final Four in Arlington, Texas, fans were treated to a matchup between two programs with very different philosophies when it comes to recruiting and player development.
Traevon Jackson
For most Wisconsin basketball fans, Frank Kaminsky first became a household name last Nov. 19, when the junior center scored a school-record 43 points in a 103-85 victory over North Dakota.
Two hundred and thirty-one. That’s the number of 3-pointers senior guard Ben Brust had in his career, four more than the 227 that was Tim Locum’s team record for 23 years. Record breaking No. 238 came with 3:52 left in overtime in the Elite Eight win against Arizona. This shot put the Badgers up 57-54, forcing the Wildcats’ backs against a wall. Two hundred and twenty-eight couldn’t have come at a better time.
Now that Connecticut has won the title, it’s time to do what we always do when the season ends: Think about next season. Here’s a preseason top five for next year in no particular order.
ARLINGTON, Texas—Sixty-seven teams walk away from the tournament in heartbreak.
The Madison Police Department’s Mounted Unit will take the streets for the first time this year in anticipation of the Men’s Final Four NCAA basketball game.
1) Big nonconference wins
Over a 38-year span from 1976 to 2013, Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan and his dad, Butch, attended every single Final Four.
All year, there has been a perceived disconnect between Wisconsin’s “eye test” and its resume. Some may look at a Wisconsin team that has maybe two real National Basketball Association prospects and think it can’t compete with the new normal of obscene talent on elite teams, though they’ve been doing it all season.
When future Badgers and roommates-to-be Abigail Miller and Megan Baker first made plans to meet on University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus Sunday, they did not anticipate joining a crowd of thousands in welcoming home the Wisconsin men’s basketball team.
There’s a good chance that the “Frank Kaminsky” game just happened. But for now, head coach Bo Ryan, the Badgers and their massive crowd formed on State Street will only be focused one thing in the coming week: the Final Four.
Despite the prestige and winning reputation of Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan, he is yet to make it to the Final Four in his 12 seasons with the Badgers.
The Wisconsin men’s basketball team (29-7 overall, 12-6 Big Ten) is heading to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005.
While the No. 2 seed Badgers (12-6 Big Ten, 28-7 overall) won’t be facing the opponent they might have expected in the Sweet 16, they will assuredly be preparing for a team unique both in its personnel and defense.
Ah, March, what a month. The beginning of spring—snow melts, birds chirp, drunks unfortunately come out of hibernation—when horrible, debilitating seasonal depression finally seems to be evaporating. But for sports fans, March means something else: the return of the annual collegiate basketball tournament.
Thanks to their dramatic comeback win Saturday over Oregon, the Wisconsin Badgers are headed to Anaheim, Calif., to take on the Baylor Bears in the Sweet 16.
MILWAUKEE, Wis.—The ability to overcome adversity has boded well for the success of Wisconsin this season, and it proved true again Saturday night when its season was on the line.
MILWAUKEE—When Wisconsin’s run in the NCAA tournament comes to an end, so will Ben Brust’s career as a Badger.
To reach the national championship in Arlington, Texas, the Badgers (13-7 Big Ten, 27-7 overall) will get to stay close to home, but would then head out far West.
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