Wisconsin Basketball Defeated in Big Ten Title Game
In one of the most entertaining Big Ten Tournaments in recent memories, the Badgers found them self once again in the Big Ten Title game to take on a red hot Michigan team who had a four games in four day run to the title game. The Badgers came in as the #2 seed, while the Wolverines an 8 seed who had won 9 of 11 coming in.
The Badgers came out a bit slow in the first half as Wisconsin struggled to get their feet under them in the first few minutes of the contest. The game was kept in check by the defense, which held Michigan to long possessions, but were unable to prevent scoring at the end of possessions. Each team had an impressive first half shooting over 50% from the field, keeping the game neck and neck throughout. The Badgers were kept in the game by the play of Bronson Koenig, who contributed 13 points to the cause, including a late three to pull the Badgers within one at 33-32 to end the half. Koenig was unable to play in the Badgers last match up with Michigan due to his knee injury.
While the Badgers pulled it tight to end the first, the second started slow as Wisconsin fell behind by ten, and were unable to score for a significant stretch, a reoccurring problem for Wisconsin Basketball all season. Michigan made adjustments, and Koenig was held scoreless for almost the entire second half. While the Wolverines were able to push the pedal, Wisconsin was able to answer and pulled the game within 6 with 6 minutes to go, but never seemed to pull it much closer than that as Michigan was finally able to pull away down the stretch, Wisconsin struggled to put together quality offensive possessions in the second half, while the Wolverines remained on fire shooting 55% from the field, and in turn they fell short of the Big Ten Title 71 to 56.
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Overall, the weekend was a better result than the Badgers have seen in recent weeks, but once again the offensive possessions hurt them in the long run. While they did get two nice wins under their belt, its time to wipe the slate clean and focus on the Big Dance. The experience of Wisconsin will still benefit them in March. As soon as the brackets are released check back here for updates and analysis of where Wisconsin Basketball could end up.