Well that didn't last long...

Wisconsin's first ever #1 ranking was short-lived, as they lost tonight to Michigan State 64-55.

Drew Neitzel was absolutely on fire for the Spartans. It didn't matter where he was shooting from or where it hit on the rim or the backboard, the ball was going to eventually make it through the net. In the closing minutes there was a three shot that bricked off the back of the rim, bounced up, hit the front of the rim and bounced up and fell back through the hoop. The kid could not miss.


Some interesting tidbits from this telecast:

Wisconsin is one of only two teams to not have any team member foul out all season (George Mason is the other)

A stat I'm not exactly sure how they calculate, but we have 212 less fouls than our opponents.

Kammron Taylor is averaging just one foul for every 56 minutes on the court.

And an old stat, but a goody still, the Badgers have made more free throws than their opponents have attempted. This is a long standing stat that I believe was true last season as well.



This Sunday the Badgers head to Columbus to meet Ohio State. Since new rankings don't come out til Monday, it will be a #1 vs #1 matchup, the first time that's ever happened.

And truth be told, I figured we'd lose one of these two games, and I'd rather it was Sparty than Ohio State.

A win Sunday gives us the Big Ten title and I think this loss was the fire that needed to be lit. The Badgers have come out slow in the first half the past few games and haven't been as sharp as they're going to need to be to make a run deep into March. Their rebounding was non-existent tonight and the clutch free-throws just weren't there. I'm hoping tonight's loss will be just the inspiration the team needs heading into Sunday.