UW men's basketball: Big Ten champs refuse to play the 'no respect' card
INDIANAPOLIS — During one of the most remarkable seasons in the history of the University of Wisconsin men's basketball program, the Badgers' success usually has been predicated on taking advantage of whatever their opponents give them.
The Badgers had that in mind after they finished watching the NCAA tournament selection show Sunday evening and learned they were the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Regional and will play Cal State Fullerton in a first-round game Thursday at 8:40 p.m. in Omaha.
Reporters lined up to ask the Badgers (29-4) if they felt they got hosed by the selection committee. It certainly didn't appear that the Badgers got much credit for winning the Big Ten Conference's regular-season title as well as the conference tournament title, which they had earned about 30 minutes earlier with their 61-48 thrashing of Illinois at Conseco Fieldhouse.
In the past, teams like Ohio State, Michigan State and Illinois all earned No. 1 seeds for a similar accomplishment.
The eighth-ranked Badgers' reward was a trip to Omaha to play the Big West champion Titans (24-8) and, if they win, either Southern Cal (21-11) of the Pac-10 Conference or Kansas State (20-11) of the Big 12 in the second round on Saturday at 3:20 p.m.
None of that seemed to matter to the Badgers, who will be playing in the NCAA tournament for the 10th straight season, including all seven years under coach Bo Ryan.
"There are no surprises and we'll be ready," said senior center Greg Stiemsma as he leaned back in his chair in front of his locker and shrugged at the tournament news.
Senior forward Brian Butch echoed that statement, and added that the Badgers have learned how to face very different opponents this season, from Duke to Texas to Marquette as well as Big Ten foes.
"Everybody brings different styles," Butch said. "I think our nonconference schedule helps us get ready for the tournament atmosphere and playing different teams."
Sophomore guard Jason Bohannon said the Badgers are happy to be playing in Omaha and wouldn't argue with Wisconsin's selection as a No. 3 seed behind a collection of No. 2 seeds that includes Duke, Texas, Tennessee and Georgetown.
"Playing close to home rather than out to Phoenix or somewhere like that is better," Bohannon said. "We were a little disappointed we didn't get a 2 seed but Georgetown was deserving also. We can't take anything away from them. We're happy to be playing and Cal State Fullerton should be a good matchup for us."
Stiemsma has seen it all before regarding Wisconsin and where it's seeded in the tournament. For instance, last year's No. 2 seed was controversial because of an injury that sidelined Brian Butch. It taught the Badgers the need to focus on what helps them win.
"We have to take care of what we can control and we control how we play and we control how we prepare," added Stiemsma. "We're going to do whatever it takes to win, whether we're down by 10 or lead the whole game or if things aren't clicking, just stay with our rules and they'll carry us."
With that statement, Stiemsma defined how the Badgers went about winning the Big Ten tournament title and, in the process, became the first Wisconsin team to win both conference titles in one season.
Wisconsin, the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament, whipped Illinois for its 10th straight victory with an explosion of perimeter shots that included making 50 percent of its 3-pointers (9-of-18). Michael Flowers made three 3-pointers while Brian Butch (12 points) and tournament Most Valuable Player Marcus Landry (10 points) each made two 3-pointers.
It was a vastly different story than the Badgers' 51-34 wire-to-wire win over Michigan on Friday and their come-from-behind 65-63 victory over Michigan State on Saturday afternoon. The Badgers went inside in both those games, which led to a parade of players to the free-throw line.
The Badgers shot a tournament-record 37 free throws against Michigan State. They shot a season-low two against No. 10 seed Illinois.
Different story, same results.
What stayed the same throughout the tournament was the Badgers' defense, which set a tournament record for allowing just 145 points in three games. Their three opponents also shot a collective 34.2 percent.
"We haven't changed anything. We're just getting better," said Bohannon, a model of consistency who scored seven points in all three of the Badgers' tournament games.
"Defensively, each person is getting better every day," Bohannon added. "The same with the offense. People are able to create a little more and finish on the offensive end. When you have five guys who can do that, you can be a dangerous team."
The Badgers are a dream team for basketball purists because of their balance, adaptability and smarts. Whether that equates to a long run in the NCAA tournament is the big question.
"These guys do take pride in what they do," Ryan said. "And it starts not just in the post, not just on the perimeter. It's not any one thing — the rules that we have. This team has adhered to the rules better in the past two and a half months, I think, of any team I've coached. And if we keep doing those things, then we can keep playing.
"I hope we don't change."
By the numbers
14-9: Wisconsin's all-time record at the Big Ten tournament.
6-2: Wisconsin record in Big Ten tournament games played at Conseco Fieldhouse.
59: Points averaged by Wisconsin during the tournament, the lowest by a tournament champion.
48.3: Points allowed by Wisconsin during the tournament, a tournament record.
10: Consecutive victories by the Badgers.
2: Free throws attempted by Wisconsin, a season low.
9: Three-pointers made by Wisconsin, tying a Big Ten tournament title game record.
7: Wisconsin turnovers, the second-fewest by a team in the tournament title game.
168: Career steals by Michael Flowers, which ties him with Michael Finley for fourth most on UW's steals list.
12: Points MVP Marcus Landry averaged during the three-game tournament.
Associated Press
Wisconsin junior forward Marcus Landry cradles the Big Ten Conference tournament trophy after being named Most Valuable Player of the tourney.
