The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team fell in Madison Square Garden to Michigan State 63-60 in round three of the Big Ten Tournament.
Wisconsin was trying to upset the AP No. 2 Michigan State Spartans in their final bid for an NCAA Tournament spot. Because of an underwhelming regular season, Wisconsin would have needed to win the Big Ten Tournament outright to have any chance at playing in March Madness.
Despite the loss Ethan Happ had an incredible game, shooting 10-15 for 22 points in just 26 minutes. But for the Badgers’ other star player, Brad Davison, the shot wasn’t falling today — going just 4-14 from the field despite making key hustle plays throughout the game.
Men’s basketball: Badgers leave Terps shell shocked, Michigan State up next in Big Ten Tournament
On the Spartan side, Miles Bridges lit the Badgers up from three point range. The leading scorer shot 3-5 from deep and 7-15 from the field for 20 points. On the other hand, Wisconsin was able to limit Jaren Jackson Jr. to just seven points in only 15 minutes as the freshman fouled out with 1:52 remaining in the game.
The Badgers had a legitimate chance to advance and play in the semifinals tomorrow. With Wisconsin limiting personal fouls throughout the second half, MSU’s Bridges missed a one-and-one foul shot with 27 seconds remaining. This gave the Badgers possession down 63-60 as Coach Greg Gard used his second to last timeout to discuss the game plan with his players.
Though Wisconsin still had a foul to give before Michigan State entered the double bonus, they chose to look for a three point shot to tie the game rather than get a quick inside score and foul the Spartans for another one-and-one. But the Spartans defended the perimeter well, giving Davison no choice but to chuck up a heavily contested three pointer that he air balled to end the game.
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Many questions remain for the Badgers going into next year. Davison is getting shoulder surgery, Happ is considering entering the NBA Draft and Kobe King and D’Mitrik Trice will be returning from season ending injuries.
Wisconsin’s 19-year NCAA Tournament streak will end and the Badgers cannot even qualify for an NIT bid as the team finished below 0.500 on the season. Hopefully Wisconsin come back next year with a more developed and experienced lineup so they can return to March Madness and begin a new streak.
