Today, the Badgers defeated Arizona in overtime in a thrilling game to go dancing to the Final 4 NCAA Mens basketball tournament.
From Madison.com: The seed was planted last September at a memorial service in Aston, Pa., where four veterans on the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team had gathered to support their leader.What Zach Bohannon, Ben Brust, Josh Gasser and Frank Kaminsky witnessed that day was something they’d never seen: sadness in the eyes of Bo Ryan, an understandable emotion considering the Badgers’ coach was grieving the loss of his father/mentor/hero.
After paying their respects to Butch Ryan’s family, the players mutually agreed on a plan they’d carry back with them to Madison and share with their teammates.
“We saw Coach in a vulnerable state,” Bohannon said, “and we were like, ‘Guys, let’s make this a special year for us. … Let’s do this for him.’ ”
It was a special season even before Saturday night, but it got a whole lot more memorable when the Badgers delivered Ryan to the Final Four with a 64-63 overtime victory over Arizona in an NCAA tournament West regional final before 17,814 fans at the Honda Center.
UW (30-7), back in the national semifinals for the first time since 2000, will play either Michigan or Kentucky next Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Kaminsky had 28 points and 11 rebounds and was named the Most Valuable Player of the West regional, while junior guard Traevon Jackson had 10 points and five assists for UW.
Afterward, the Badgers cut down the nets, saving Ryan for last. When he finished, Ryan climbed down the ladder and his players hoisted them on his shoulders.
On what would have been Butch Ryan’s 90th birthday, his son willed a remarkable group of players to college basketball’s ultimate stage.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/sports/college/basketball/men/badgers-men-s-basketball-with-help-from-above-uw-outlasts/article_ab6a00fb-a60b-5262-90d3-fb09030b33e1.html#ixzz2xQgbLyjt
After paying their respects to Butch Ryan’s family, the players mutually agreed on a plan they’d carry back with them to Madison and share with their teammates.
“We saw Coach in a vulnerable state,” Bohannon said, “and we were like, ‘Guys, let’s make this a special year for us. … Let’s do this for him.’ ”
It was a special season even before Saturday night, but it got a whole lot more memorable when the Badgers delivered Ryan to the Final Four with a 64-63 overtime victory over Arizona in an NCAA tournament West regional final before 17,814 fans at the Honda Center.
UW (30-7), back in the national semifinals for the first time since 2000, will play either Michigan or Kentucky next Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Kaminsky had 28 points and 11 rebounds and was named the Most Valuable Player of the West regional, while junior guard Traevon Jackson had 10 points and five assists for UW.
Afterward, the Badgers cut down the nets, saving Ryan for last. When he finished, Ryan climbed down the ladder and his players hoisted them on his shoulders.
On what would have been Butch Ryan’s 90th birthday, his son willed a remarkable group of players to college basketball’s ultimate stage.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/sports/college/basketball/men/badgers-men-s-basketball-with-help-from-above-uw-outlasts/article_ab6a00fb-a60b-5262-90d3-fb09030b33e1.html#ixzz2xQgbLyjt
Even though by the Badgers winning, it killd my chances of winning the office pool, it is great to see my alma mater going to the Final 4.
Yeah, I'm going to rub it as much as I can.
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