Badgers roll as Bucky takes down Kentucky
The undefeated Kentucky Wildcats are no longer undefeated. Indeed, the Wisconsin Badgers beat them 71-64, handing Kentucky its first defeat of the season. The Wildcat players were so such sore losers that they wouldn’t even shake the hands of the Badgers after the game.
By some, Kentucky was considered so good they could beat a pro team, but the Wildcats weren’t good enough to beat the mighty Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin was down by four with four and a half minutes to go, but led by Sam Dekker the Badgers overcame the deficit and beat Kentucky.
” It’s a great story, ” Frank Kaminsky said. ” To talk about last year when we played them to come back and beat them on the same stage would be a storybook ending.”
Wisconsin will play Duke, who demolished Michigan State, 81-61. Duke has made it to the title game eight times under Mike Kryzewski, and they are 4-4. The Blue Devils beat Wisconsin in the Kohl Center on December 3.
Kaminsky only scored eight points in last years game, scored 11 in the first half and he finished the game leading all scorers with 20 points. Kaminsky also got eleven rebounds and he gave away two assists. Dekker added 16 points, and he sunk a clutch three with 1:41 left and he got fouled 16 seconds later. Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig each scored 12 points, for Wisconsin.
Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns scored 16 points, while Aaron and Andrew Harrison combined for 25 points. Unlike last year’s game, Aaron Harrison didn’t connect on a three-pointer but, instead, air balled a three from way to far out.
The other Final Four game was controlled by one team, but this game was very exciting. The two squads played hard for the first twenty minutes and entered the half tied at 36. Kentucky’s largest lead was by five when they started the game on a 5-0 run, while Wisconsin’s was by nine, which they later blew.
Wisconsin entered the second half extremely hot and broke into an eight point lead. Later though, Kentucky stormed back, to take a four point lead.
Wisconsin forced the Wildcats into three straight shot-clock violations, and after that Dekker buried a three and with 1:25 left,and then he drew a charge. He made both free throws, and with 1:06 left he drew another charge. Decker made one of the two free throws for a 64-60 lead.
Aaron Harrison then made a shot with 56.2 seconds left and he got fouled. He made his free throw to make it a one point lead.
Kaminsky got fouled with 24.5 seconds left. He made both free throws and Wisconsin had a three point lead. That was when Bo Ryan called a timeout. Big Frank fouled Towns with 16.1 seconds left, and Towns only made one shot.
Wisconsin got fouled consistently after that, and Wisconsin made their free throws at the end.
The Wisconsin Badgers turned down Kentucky’s hopes of being undefeated and beat them, to play Duke.
1:18 pm
What a great article on the game.
Just like the Badgers, you don’t dwell on the poor sportsmanship or bad language at the interviews, just keep the goal in mind.
Play the Wisconsin system. Win the games.
6:54 pm
Yeah. That just expalins the basketball program at Kentucky. I think Wisconsin can beat Duke.
GO BADGERS
1:41 pm
Thanks for a great recap to remind me of what a great game I watched last night!
7:51 pm
Wisconsin is a different team now than when they played Duke earlier in the year. Decker is healthy, and he is playing with more confidence than anyone I have seen. Frank is well….Frank. you can’t say much more than that. He has been playing great all year!
Monday is going to be a great day in Wisconsin! Opening day for the Brewers and the Badgers playing in the National Title Game!!!
On WISCONSIN!!!
5:04 pm
Wisconsin played tough ball but just couldn’t hold on at the end. I think the momentum change for Duke really hit the Badgers.
The Brewers got their butts kicked.
1:44 pm
Calipari was the worst sore loser.:)
5:08 pm
Are you sure ?
Did you hear what Andrew Harrison said about Frank?
I think Kentucky’s whole team and their fans are the worst sore losers any sport.
They wouldn’t even shake Wisconsin’s hands after the game.
31 Kentucky fans got arrested.
6:01 pm
WooHoo! Go Wisconsin!
5:11 pm
Wisconsin lost, but what a great season they had
8:37 pm
Great article, Jacob. I learned so much. I can’t wait to see what you write about tonight’s game!
5:10 pm
It was a tough game for the Badgers, but we had a great season
5:33 pm
yo mama is my secret identity and im disappointed in WI losing to Duke but at least we were beat by a deserving team. badgers did fantastic cant wait to win next year