Sweet Sixteen – immigrationcourtside.com

MARCH MADNESS: Heartbreak!! Gators’ Chiozza’s Buzzer Beating 3-Pointer Ends Badger Run 84-83 In OT!🏀😢

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NY. Just as the Badgers’ season was about to end, senior guard Zach Showalter (14 pts.) hit an impossible 3-point shot, releasing behind the arc as he flew over it to send the Sweet Sixteen game into an unlikely overtime.

In overtime, the Badgers, without senior Vito Brown (10 pts.) who had fouled out, with star senior guard Bronson Koenig (13 pts.) hobbled with a leg injury, and with Ethan Happ (21 pts.) nursing four fouls, dominated. Following two free throws by senior forward Nigel Hayes (22 pts.) with 4 seconds remaining, the Badgers held a 83-81 lead and appeared headed to the Elite Eight.

But, the Gators’ junior guard Chris Chiozza returned Showalter’s favor, and then some, by hitting the almost identical shot as the buzzer sounded. This time, however, the three pointer ended the game and set off a jubilant celebration for the Gators, as they, not the Badgers, moved on to the Elite Eight.

The stunned Badgers could do nothing but watch in dismay and disbelief. They had squandered their chances.

With under a minute to go in OT, junior Kahlil Iverson (3 pts.) had a chance at a breakaway slam dunk that in all likelihood would have sealed the game. But, somehow, he allowed himself to be “stuffed” by less athletic Gator Canyon Barry (son of NBA great rick Barry).

And, this time, the Badgers’s crummy free throw shooting (20-30, 67%) cost them the game. Two more free throws down the stretch would have put them in the Elite Eight. Wisconsin also turned the ball over 16 times and committed an amazing 26 fouls to help seal their own fate.

Sophomore KeVaughn Allen led the Gators with a career-high 35 points. While Chiozza had only 8 points, he scored the final five to secure the victory for the Gators. Florida (27-9) moves on to play the upstart South Carolina Gamecocks (25-10) in Sunday’s Elite Eight matchup, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Meanwhile, the Badgers close their 2016-17 campaign at 27-10. But, for seniors Hayes, Koenig, Brown , and Showalter, who had gone to the Final Four twice in their illustrious careers, there will be no tomorrow, at least at Wisconsin.

PWS

03/25/17

MARCH MADNESS: Badgers Head to Fourth Consecutive “Sweet 16” After Taking Out Top Seeded Defending Champ Villanova In 65-62 Thriller — Seniors N. Hayes, B. Koenig, & V. Brown Come Up Huge In Clutch As UW Overcomes Late 7 Point Deficit to Win!

BUFFALO, NY — A few weeks ago, some disgruntled Wisconsin fans actually were calling for second-year coach Greg Gard’s head after the Badgers turned in lackluster losing performances against the likes of Ohio State and Iowa. Their once-promising season seemed on the brink of total collapse down the stretch of the Big 10 regular season.

This afternoon, with 5:07 remaining in a “Round of 32” game, and the Badgers trailing by 7 points, it looked like their season was over notwithstanding a valiant effort against the defending NCAA Champs. After all, stars Bronson Koenig and Ethan Happ were both saddled with foul trouble, and Villanova, led by superstar senior guard Josh Hart (19 pts) and freshman sensation guard Donte DiVincenzo (15 pts), was pulling away for the kill.

But, the battle-tested Badgers weren’t yet ready to depart the dance. They rallied behind their senior leaders.

With ice water in his veins, Koenig (17 pts, 2-6 3-pt) drilled a 3-pointer to put the Badgers up 62-59 late. However, a bad exchange between Koenig and senior forward Nigel Hayes resulted in a turnover allowing the Wildcats to pull even at 62.

Then, the “play of the game!” Coming out of a time-out, Hayes (19 pts, 8 rebounds) drove the baseline and made a spectacular “Michael Jordan type” reverse layup to put the Badgers up 64-62 with 11.4 seconds to go. But, the champs were’t ready to go down. 11.4 seconds is an eternity in March Madness.

Villanova got the ball to Hart who, with Koenig and Happ having to play off with four fouls apiece, drove for a sure-fire tying layup. But, he didn’t count on Badger senior forward Vito Brown, who had broken out of a severe shooting slump by draining 3 of 6 three pointers. Brown stripped Hart, and then was fouled on the play with 3.4 seconds remaining.

Brown hit the first free throw (insuring the Badgers at least a tie). After missing the second, he hustled down to the baseline to help Hayes bottle up Villanova and prevent any chance of a last second shot as time ran out. Brown, a talented singer, also performed (pre-recorded) during the NCAA/CBS TV “lead in” to today’s game!

The #8 seed Badgers had triumphed! Amid the heroics of Hayes, Koenig, and Brown, the great effort by Happ, who added a huge 12 points and 8 rebounds despite playing most of the game in foul trouble and senior Zach Showalter who had several key defensive plays should not be forgotten.

The classy Wildcats and their even classier coach Jay Wright finish the season at 32-4. And, at least for the next week so, the voices in Madison calling for Greg Gard’s ouster have been silenced.

The Badgers thus head for their fourth consecutive “Sweet 16,” their sixth in seven seasons. The Badgers (27-9) will take on the #4 Florida Gators (26-8) from the SEC in Madison Square Garden, NY. “Badgers v. Gators” — a match of two of the most dangerous and ferocious animals known to man (forget that “smiling Teddy-bear version” of Bucky that I post below. That’s just to throw Bucky’s opponents off.) Game time is 10:00 PM Friday on TBS, with a trip to the “Elite Eight” at stake. Don’t miss it!

GO BUCKY!

PWS

03/18/17

immigrationcourtside Sports: Wisconsin Badger Men’s Buckets Mid-Season Report

The Badger hoopsters outlasted the Indiana Hoosiers today notching a hard-fought 65-60 victory at the Kohl Center in Madison. Redshirt sophomore center Ethan Happ led Bucky with 20 points, adding a key steal and slam dunk down the stretch, while senior forward Nigel Hayes chipped in 15. Neither team was able to shoot the ball in the first half, although the offense picked up some in the second half.

The #10 Badgers remained in first place in the Big Ten with a 9-1 conference record (20-3 overall). They should move up several slots in the rankings this week due to losses by several other top-ten teams over the weekend. Happ is having a stellar season on offense and defense, proving himself to be one of the premier “in the paint” players in the country. He leads the team in just about everything except selling hot dogs during halftime. If he could only make a basket from beyond four feet (he has canned exactly one jump shot this year) he would be virtually unstoppable.

The Badgers appear to be in a strong position for the Big Ten Tournament and will undoubtedly make their 19th consecutive appearance in March Madness, hoping to improve on their Sweet Sixteen ending last year. With an experienced team and continued great coaching by second year (first full) Coach Greg Gard, the Badgers should be a threat to make an even deeper run toward the Final Four this year.

But, there are a few cautionary notes. Over the last three games, against horrible Rutgers and Illinois and an Indiana team missing key starters, the Badgers were unable to throw a knockout punch despite having a substantial talent advantage. And the Badgers have had problems shooting free throws and turning the ball over, two things that usually are the strength of Badger teams. Recently, the three-point shooting has also been sketchy. For example, the Badgers were only 4-17 from beyond the arc this afternoon. While those things might not kill you against the Illinois, Rutgers, and Penn States of the world, those teams won’t be around at tournament time.

The Badgers next will play at the Nebraska Conhuskers Thursday night.

Meanwhile, over on the gridiron, former Badger star running back James White played a key role in the Patriots exciting 34-28 comeback Super Bowl comeback victory, scoring the winning TD in overtime on a pitch from the amazing Tom Brady and some tough running.

PWS

02/05/17

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