Big Ten Football & Basketball Blog

2009 NCAA Tournament - East Region - Boise, ID
No. 12 Wisconsin (20-12) 61, No. 5 Florida State (25-10) 59 - OT
Key Moment: Trevon Hughes’ 3-point play with two seconds to play in overtime enabled the Badgers to knock off the Seminoles
High Point Scorers: Wisconsin — Jason Bohannon 16 Florida State — Toney Douglas 26
Analysis: The Badgers became the third 12 seed to win in the tournament along with Arizona and Western Kentucky. Down 31-19 at the half, the Badgers started quickly in the second half scoring the first 13 points in the first six minutes to take the lead. From there, it was a game. But consider the idea that this program is very seasoned under coach Bo Ryan in the NCAA tournament and can handle the expectations. The Seminoles were making their first appearance in 11 years.
What’s Next: The Badgers advance to Sunday’s second round where it will meet No. 4 Xavier, which knocked off No. 13 Portland State, 77-59. The Badgers are going to want slow down the Musketeers who will play an up-tempo style. Like all Sean Miller teams, Xavier is balanced and handles the ball very well. They committed only seven turnovers. A classic contrast in styles.

By Kevin Lonnquist
DFN Sports Staff Writer

Wow. Not many people saw that coming. After a 36-36 tie at the half, Wisconsin looked like they had the Davidson Wildcats well within reach with just halftime adjustments needed by Bo Ryan and his staff in order to send the Badgers to the Elite 8. What happened instead was a dominating 37-20 second half as Davidson topped Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament to end the Badgers’ season. #3 seed Wisconsin ends their season 31-5 while the Wildcats (29-6) will likely face #1 Kansas on Sunday with a trip to the Fianl Four on the line. While fans rush to buy Davidson apparel & merchandise, Wisconsin fans should not hang their heads as 2007-2008 was another very successful season.

It’s halftime at Ford Field in Detroit in the Midwest Regional’s first Sweet 16 game as the Wisconsin Badgers and Davidson Wildcats are tied 36-36. In a game that was expected to be defense-dominated, both teams are on pace to score over 70 points, not your typical final when defense is your focus. Before fans run out to get their Wisconsin Badgers clothing & apparel for a trip to the Elite 8, they need to find a way to stop Davidson star Stephen Curry who has 11 first half points. The Wildcats have 7 players who scored inthe first half while Wisconsin has just 5 players who have score and Trevon Hughes injured his foot in 8 minutes of play and will not return for the Badgers.

The Wisconsin Badgers are in action again tonight at the #3 seed in the Midwest as they face the #10 Davidson Wildcats in the Sweet 16. While Davidson merchandise is flying off the shelves thanks to Stephen Curry leading the Wildcats to the Sweet 16, Bo Ryan has his Badgers right where he wants them, as a darkhorse National Championship contender. The two teams will tip off shortly after 7 pm tonight at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, with the winner facing the winner of #1 Kansas vs. #12 Villanova in the Elite 8 on Sunday.