Wisconsin Wins Big Ten Title, Grabs No. 1 Seed

ByAndrew Snyder|

Mar 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate from the bench during the second half in the championship game against the Michigan State Spartans of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin’s domination of the Big Ten is finally complete, but it was no easy task. Late Sunday afternoon at the United Center in Chicago, the Badgers took on Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game. Tom Izzo’s Spartans played perhaps their best 40 minutes of the season, nearly upsetting Wisconsin.

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Michigan State held an 11-point lead at the 7:46 mark and seemed to have Wisconsin on the ropes. As many teams have found this season, Bo Ryan does not let his squad rollover and die without a fight.

In the next six minutes, Frank Kaminsky would score eight points to help completely erase the deficit, including a dramatic three-pointer with under two minutes to go that would give Wisconsin a 67-64 lead. On the very next possession, Denzel Valentine knocked down a similar shot with Kaminsky in his face to tie the game at 67.

A Travis Trice driving layup and a pair of Bronson Koenig free-throws would see the contest tied at 60 with 8.8 seconds remaining. Tom Izzo called a timeout to draw up a play that would help his Spartans steal the Big Ten title from Wisconsin. Branden Dawson’s midrange jumper would rattle around the rim and out to send the entertaining ballgame to overtime.

Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig would each hit a shot from behind the arc at the beginning of overtime, to give Wisconsin a six-point cushion with two minutes left on the clock. Those shots appeared to take the wind out of Michigan State’s sails. Wisconsin would dominate the entire overtime period, the Spartans would fail to score a single point, and the Badgers would seize a 80-69 victory.

Nigel Hayes was fantastic, scoring 25 points, while the Big Ten Player of the Year, Frank Kaminsky, scored 19 points, with five rebounds and four assists. Branden Dawson and Denzel Valentine had 16 points apiece, but the failure to score in overtime was a disappointing end to an inspiring performance for Michigan State.

The Big Ten has been the subject of a significant amount criticism this season for its perceived mediocrity, but the Big Ten Championship was as entertaining a game as there has been in college basketball this season. There can be no complaints about that.

For their efforts, Wisconsin was awarded a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament by the selection committee, while Michigan State is a No. 7 seed. The Badgers open the tournament on Friday against Coastal Carolina. Assuming they take care of business they will then play the winner of Oregon vs. Oklahoma State.

North Carolina is the No. 4 seed, and Arizona is the No. 2 seed in Wisconsin’s bracket, providing tantalizing possible Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight matchups for those of us that like watching two great programs square off for a chance to survive and advance. Of course, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There is plenty of basketball to be played until those games could occur, and upsets do happen.

As I noted earlier in the week, I highly doubt Wisconsin is a team that will care too much about their seeding. This is an experienced group, one that reached the Final Four last season, and Bo Ryan will have them ready to play by the time Friday rolls around, no matter what seed they are.

My only real concern for Wisconsin, other than a potential meeting with Kentucky, is how they will integrate point guard Traevon Jackson back into the rotation. Jackson fractured his foot in early January and has not played since.

Since then the Badgers have only lost a single game, playing well with sophomore point guard Bronson Koenig running the show. Jackson was cleared to play recently, and may even start practicing on Monday. Integrating players back into the lineup after a long absence can be challenging. Kyrie Irving returning to Duke for the Sweet Sixteen in 2011 comes to mind, and Virginia is learning that same lesson as Justin Anderson struggled to return to form in the ACC Tournament.

Jackson provides value with his reputation for making big shots, and playing great on-ball defense. Working him back into rotation on a limited basis may be their best option. Playing him around 10-15 minutes per game in a non-starting role gives them a quality player off the bench while avoiding upsetting the chemistry they have created without him.

The full weekend of conference tournaments has served as the perfect appetizer for the three weeks of March Madness that will soon be upon us. I hope you saved up some personal days at work, unless of course President Obama wants to go ahead and make Thursday and Friday national holidays.

Selection Sunday has come and gone, it is now time for the best event in college sports: the NCAA Tournament.

With UCONN failing to make the tournament, there will be a brand new champion this season.

Can Wisconsin be that team?

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