Unlike Hockey Badgers, Hoops Team Plays Well as Season Progresses

Unfortunately the Badger basketball team is not like the Badger hockey team. Instead of folding every year heading into March like the Badger hockey team, its basketball program seems to gain strength heading into the postseason, and the program understands its more important to play well in February and March as opposed to November and December. With that formula Mike Eaves and the Badger hockey amazingly blew an eight-point WCHA lead just seven weeks ago as the Gophers clinched the conference this week, whereas Bo Ryan is leading Wisconsin to its eight consecutive NCAA appearance after his team won four of its last five, including an 80-74 win over the Gophers on Sunday.

When looking at the box score it isn’t hard to find what the difference was in Wisconsin’s six point win ““ FREE THROWS. And many of them. Wisconsin attempted 24 more free throws than Minnesota and made 19 more, including an impressive 8/8 in the games final 49 seconds. The Big Ten’s favorite for Conference Player of the Year, Alando Tucker, did not disappoint at all this afternoon as he finished with a game high 22 points, including 5/7 from the free throw line.

Despite losing its 10th straight game in Madison, the Gophers came out strong today and played pretty well all afternoon. Vincent Grier caught fire early on before finishing with a team high 19 points, and Adam Boone picked up in the second half as he finished with 18 points including three big three-pointers.

After taking a two point lead into halftime, the Gophers trailed most of the second half by a consistent 4-5 point margin and never could get over the hump. J’Son Stamper and Boone both fouled out of the game, and Grier battled foul trouble the entire game. This limited the Gophers, and the Badger big men took advantage. One time Gopher recruit, Joe Krabbenhoft, recorded his first career double double (10 points and 10 rebounds) and Minnesota native Kevin Gullickson recorded a career high 12-points including a few key buckets and free throws.

The Badger win improves their record to 19-8 (9-5 in Big Ten play) and pretty much ensures Wisconsin yet another NCAA appearance. The Gophers fall to 14-11 (5-9 in conference play) and mandates a Big Ten Tournament miracle to advance to the NCAA Tournament.

Minnesota has little time to feel sorry for itself as the Gophers welcome nationally ranked Illinois on Tuesday night, which will be a special night as the program says goodbye to five seniors.