Badgers basketball Archives

Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan should be the 2013 Big Ten Coach of the Year

At the end of a tough non-conference schedule, pundits and fans alike speculated that there was no way Bo Ryan could take a Wisconsin Badgers team without their starting point guard and contend for a Big Ten Title.

The Badgers were throttled at Florida (74-56 loss), picked apart by Creighton (84-74 loss), shocked by Virginia at home (60-54) and embarrassed by in-state rival Marquette (60-50 loss).

Not exactly the ideal way to go in to play in the best conference in America.

And now at the conclusion of their Big Ten slate and a 12-6 conference record, we’ve learned what everyone should have already known.

NEVER DOUBT BO who should be the Big Ten’s 2013 Coach of the Year. [Read more…]

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Gophers basketball beats Badgers, mocks Wisconsin’s own victory dance (video)

If you have watch Tubby Smith dance passionately on your bucket list, now’s your chance to cross it off. As the unranked Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball team beat the #20 Wisconsin Badgers in over time 58-53 in OT (yes, even in overtime, some Big Ten scores are still in the 50s) they celebrated in the locker room. And the Gophers basketball victory dance looks like it was blatantly ripped off from the Badgers victory dance after they defeated the #3 Michigan Wolverines on a buzzer-beater.

Watch both and judge for yourself. Welcome to “Dancing with the Big Ten basketball Stars.” Big Ten hoops is crazy this year, with upsets galore and ranked teams beating up on each other.

[Read more…]

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UPDATED 2012-2013 college basketball preseason top 25

Here is an updated on my preseason Top 25 for the 2012-2013 college basketball. With transfers, the decisions of some previously undeclared top high school recruits, and players declaring their intentions to return to school or leave for the NBA Draft, there has been a lot of movement since I released my original rankings the day after the National Championship game. (Click here for a list of NBA Draft early entries.) Leave a comment below if you think a team is too high, too low, not getting enough respect, or if you notice an error in a projected roster. (Click here for my way too early preseason rankings from last season.)

[Read more…]

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2012-2013 college basketball preseason top 25

With the Kentucky Wildcats cutting down the nets last night, we can officially close the book on the 2011-2012 college basketball season. Hoop junkies like myself are already looking ahead to next season so allow me to present to you my way too early 2012-2013 preseason Top 25.

There are still several factors that could alter a teams roster between now and the start of next season. Some of the top players are still debating on whether or not to enter the NBA Draft, some teams will lose players to transfer, and five McDonald’s All-Americans remain undecided on their college decision including the top two recruits in the 2012 class; Shabazz Muhammad and Nerlens Noel.

So here is my preliminary preseason Top 25. I will updated these rankings once the NBA Draft early entries list is complete and Muhammaed and Noels make their college decision. Leave a comment below if you think a team is too high, too low, not getting enough respect, or if you notice an error in a projected roster. (Click here for my way too early preseason rankings from last season.)

[Read more…]

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#1 Syracuse vs. #4 Wisconsin: everything you need to know

For the first time in program history, the Wisconsin Badgers are making back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. In typical fashion, most critics were underestimating UW’s chances of advancing past the first weekend but Bo Ryan has done it again. The Badgers will match up with top seed Syracuse Thursday night in an East Regional game in Boston. Many were hopping off the Orange bandwagon after Fab Melo was suspended for the NCAA Tournament, but ‘Cuse avoided upset bids in the opening weekend to keep their dancing shoes shined.

[Read more…]

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2012 Big Ten Tournament Preview & Predictions

The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off Thursday, March 8, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Heading into the tournament, the Big Ten continues to lead all conferences in the RPI and Sagarin ratings and is the only conference in the country with five top-15 teams.

So you could easily say it’s the toughest conference in college basketball. But it doesn’t mean the games will be the prettiest; in fact you might see a couple ugly ones.

[Read more…]

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Mystery Big Ten Coach claims Bo Ryan and the Badgers ‘cheat the game’

In a recent online article from Seth Davis of Sports Illustrated, a Big Ten coach or assistant anonymously claimed that the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team “cheats the game.”

Prior to the juicy details of the article, which attempts to exploit the weaknesses of the power conference’s best teams, Davis warns that some entries may be overly negative or critical.

In the Badgers case, I think it’s safe to say their passage falls somewhere in that overly negative category.

Is it possible that some of these claims are true or does it stem from the frustration the Badgers bring on opponents when playing their hard-nosed style of basketball? [Read more…]

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Wisconsin Badgers still in the hunt for a Big Ten Title

A Bo Ryan-led Wisconsin Badgers squad will rarely impress you with pure talent, but that doesn’t mean they can’t win. The Badgers run one of the least sexy offenses in the country and play such fundamental defense that they almost lull opposing teams to sleep.

This season has been no different with the #22 Badgers checking in at 19-6 and 8-4 in the Big Ten Conference, just a game and a half back of the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (21-3, 9-2).

One difference that has popped up this season is the Badgers solid play on the road. Did you know the Badgers have lost more games at home than on the road? With an overtime win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Wisconsin improved to 6-2 away from the Kohl Center.

With three of the next four games on the road, the Badgers hopes for a Big Ten Title will ride on continuing to compete outside the state-lines. [Read more…]

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Ohio State proves to be too strong for Wisconsin with 58-52 win (Rapid Reaction)

The #3 Ohio State Buckeyes keep control of their first-place standing in the Big Ten with a 58-52 win over the #20 Wisconsin Badgers. Preseason All-American Jared Sullinger was particularly strong with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the Buckeyes first win at the Kohl Center since 2000.

Wisconsin has become the poster-child for being outplayed, yet having the ability to somehow still be in the game. Today’s game was a perfect example while being out-rebounded (30-25), out-shot (43.1% to 40.0%) and out-hustled, but were still within a single point in the last couple of minutes. [Read more…]

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CONTROVERSIAL Buzzer Beater Ending as #10 Michigan St. wins at #18 Wisconsin

It’s only the third of the year yet Wisconsin has three home losses this college basketball season. Seriously, when do the Badgers lose more than twice at the Kohl Center in an entire season? Let alone three times?

No. 18 Wisconsin fell to 12-4 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten with a 63-60, overtime loss to No. 10 Michigan State (14-2, 3-0) tonight. What a way for Tom Izzo to get his first ever win at the Kohl Center. The game appeared headed to double overtime after Ryan Evans’ 3-pointer at the buzzer of the first overtime. However, the play was reviewed, and it was determined by the officials that the ball was still in Evans’ hands as the clock hit zero.

[Read more…]

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Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan should be the 2013 Big Ten Coach of the Year

Gophers basketball beats Badgers, mocks Wisconsin’s own victory dance (video)

UPDATED 2012-2013 college basketball preseason top 25

UPDATED 2012-2013 college basketball preseason top 25 (PART 2)

2012-2013 college basketball preseason top 25

2012-2013 college basketball preseason top 25 (PART 2)

#1 Syracuse vs. #4 Wisconsin: everything you need to know

2012 Big Ten Tournament Preview & Predictions

Mystery Big Ten Coach claims Bo Ryan and the Badgers ‘cheat the game’

Wisconsin Badgers still in the hunt for a Big Ten Title

Ohio State proves to be too strong for Wisconsin with 58-52 win (Rapid Reaction)

CONTROVERSIAL Buzzer Beater Ending as #10 Michigan St. wins at #18 Wisconsin

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