10. NCAA Tournament – March 20, 2009: No. 12 Wisconsin 61, No. 5 Florida State 59 (OT)
The Badgers currently hold one of the longest active streaks in the country, making the NCAA Tournament 18 consecutive times, with number 19 sure to be on its way this year. During the 2008-09 season, Wisconsin was in jeopardy of having this streak broken, enduring their highest losing total during this span, which included a six-game losing streak in the middle of the Big Ten schedule.
Wisconsin survived the troubles and landed a number 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament, drawing the feisty Florida State Seminoles in the first round all the way in Boise, Idaho.
Facing a 12-point halftime deficit, the Badgers turned on their offense and stormed back into the game, with Badgers point guard Trevon Hughes leading the charge. A tall order already facing the 25-win Seminoles, Hughes spent the entire week in preparation of guarding the dynamic and now-NBA point guard Toney Douglas. While Douglas got his, scoring almost half of his team’s points (26), Hughes had the last laugh, winning the game on a spinning layup to propel the Badgers into the next round and secure the upset.
The video of Hughes’ game winning shot has since been taken off the internet for unknown reasons- it could be because it was eight years ago, but if you were able to witness it in real time, the memory will live on forever. You can also see a snippet of the shot in the 2009 edition of “One Shining Moment” at the 2:21 mark.
Wisconsin went on to lose to No. 4 Xavier in the round of 32.