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Point-counterpoint: Most memorable moment

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Also by Mike Ackerstein and Tyler Mason:

Point-counterpoint: Best Badger pro? (April 30, 2008)
Point-counterpoint: Who's No. 2? (April 23, 2008)
Point-counterpoint: Kobe or CP3 for MVP? (April 16, 2008)
Point-counterpoint--Masters 2008: Tiger vs. the field (April 9, 2008)
Point-counterpoint: No. 1 of the No. 1s (April 2, 2008)

by Mike Ackerstein and Tyler Mason

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Mason:

It was the third time since Bo Ryan arrived in Madison that his Badger basketball team claimed the Big Ten Title, but a 77-41 win over Penn State in early March may have been the sweetest of them all.

The script had been written for that day to become the most memorable moment of the year in UW sports. No one predicted Wisconsin to win the conference following the departures of Alando Tucker and Kammron Taylor. Yet there they were, with two games to play, needing just one win to clinch at least a share of the Big Ten crown. And in front of their home fans, Brian Butch and company did just that.

The game itself was nothing spectacular, a 36-point victory that quickly turned into a sleeper. It was what happened afterward that made that night special.

After the final horn sounded, fans and players alike began to celebrate in their respective areas of the Kohl Center — students in the stands, Badgers on the court. But when the players motioned to the Grateful Red to come join them, a rush of the court ensued.

After the celebrating, speeches and a video tribute to the seniors and the season topped off the night.

Big Ten Champs, and a moment that won’t soon be forgotten.

Ackerstein:

With time running down and Wisconsin struggling at UNLV, Badger quarterback Tyler Donovan took off running. Twenty-nine yards later, Donovan notched the game-winning score and the UW play of the year.

Yes, the football team turned out to be a disappointment in 2007. But at the time, the Badgers were still undefeated and fans were still holding out hopes for a Big Ten title.

While he hadn’t performed poorly early on, Donovan didn’t look like a guy who could bring the Badgers to glory. Until that moment.

The quarterback’s touchdown run, at least momentarily kept the Badgers’ hopes for a perfect season alive. More than that, though, it sealed Donovan’s legacy as a player who, while prone to mistakes, would do everything he could to win.

It wasn’t Superman diving across the pylon for the score, but for that moment in time, it might as well have been. What Donovan did on that play was nothing short of heroic.

Even though the play turned out to be one of the few highlights in a less-than-memorable season, it was still the highest point of the season for Wisconsin fans, regardless of sport.

Donovan “Supermanned” that goal. His run was the top moment.

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