Well, the Badgers just played in the Sweet 16. I posted in a thread that I was hoping that I walked into an alternate universe and that the Badgers did not actually get handled by Davidson. Turns out, I didn't wander through a worm hole as I had hoped. The Badgers did get handled by Davidson.
It's a strange feeling I have right now. I don't feel quite as disappointed as you'd think. After all, the Badgers were so thoroughly outplayed that there's not a few plays you can point to where you think "if only that call would have gone their way" or "if only that one shot would have fallen." The game was so one sided in the second half that there's nothing that would have tilted the game in the Badgers favor.
As for this Badgers team? I'm as proud of them as any other Badgers team I've ever cheered for. And the reason goes beyond the fact that they played above all expectations this year. What? They did? But, didn't they get owned by a mid-major in the Sweet 16? Yup. But remember, this team was not picked to do much this year. They were picked, at best, to finish 3rd in the Big 10. What did they do? They won a school record 31 games, swept the Big 10 titles, and made it to the Sweet 16. Not bad.
But, it's not just the play of the team that makes me proud. It's the character of it's players. Many have probably heard story about Michael Flowers and a kid who had leukemia. If you haven't, click on this youtube replay of the story. It'll choke you up...guaranteed. Flowers showed that, not only is he one of the best defenders in Wisconsin history, but he's also a great guy.
It's Marcus Landry overcoming a learning disability, juggling time commitments of a family, school, and basketball, yet still making fatherhood a priority. It's Greg Stiemsma overcoming depression and high expectations and playing an important roll on the team without a single complaint about not getting more playing time. And it's the unity and dedication to unselfish basketball that the whole team shows, from top to bottom.
It's also the coach. It's the way he gives a scholarship to a guy because he works hard, even if it's just running the scout team. It's the way he chooses to be a teacher first and foremost and the way he chooses players based on who they are as people as well as how good they are at playing the game. It's the dedication to doing things the right way and putting mentoring above all else.
No, this team may not have made it to the Final Four. But I'm as proud of having this Badgers team represent my alma mater as I ever have been of any other team. After all, when it comes down to it, basketball is just a game. What a university means to a person is so much more than the basketball team. But it sure is nice that this basketball team represents everything that makes me proud to be a Badger.
Comments
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Reputation: 96
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Posted on: March 29, 2008 6:23 pm
I'm still proud of the BadgersBesides the story about Morris Cain that I linked to above, another guy who Bo Ryan gave a scholarship despite the fact that he was never going to contribute in games was Tanner Bronson, who will be graduating this year. |
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Reputation: 99
Level: Superstar Since: Feb 12, 2008
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Posted on: March 29, 2008 8:36 pm
I'm still proud of the BadgersBadger, There is always next year. My school di not even make the dance (Niagara). Sweet 16 aint to shabby. I was surprised that they were taken out by Davidson though. |
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Reputation: 96
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007
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Posted on: March 29, 2008 9:08 pm
I'm still proud of the BadgersThere is always next year. My school di not even make the dance (Niagara). Sweet 16 aint to shabby. I was surprised that they were taken out by Davidson though. |
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Reputation: 99
Level: Superstar Since: Oct 26, 2006
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Posted on: March 29, 2008 10:54 pm
I'm still proud of the BadgersThis one hurt. I watched the game with lots of fans at the casino in Milwaukee. People were really pumped and cheering hard. To watch Davidson dismantle them in the second half was not fun (plus I lost $50 betting some Wisconsin hater, that I thought was free money). Overall you have to be proud of what they accomplished and what this team stand for. There is always next year. But dang... |
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Reputation: 96
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Posted on: March 29, 2008 10:56 pm
I'm still proud of the BadgersOverall you have to be proud of what they accomplished and what this team stand for. There is always next year. But dang... |
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Reputation: 97
Level: Superstar Since: Feb 14, 2008
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Posted on: March 30, 2008 12:55 am
I'm still proud of the BadgersGood call, Badger_Colorado, with the blog above. Don't get me wrong, losing sucks hugely, but it is athletics. It is basketball. And, while nothing, besides a Packers' loss, messes with me like the Badgers getting bounced from the tourney, I think it's important to remember that our guys are not professional athletes. They're students first. Then they get to be athletes. And while it's the same everywhere, I think the way Bo Ryan and Alverez go about their business is especially noteworthy. And what this season's team has accomplished ought to be worth a whole lot of praise. Though I have no claim to any of the success of the men's basketball program, seeing as I'm no coach, no player, I am proud of the way Wisky's represented themselves this season. They've reinforced for me what I've always felt: that Wisconsin is a good school that cares about winning provided that winning doesn't mean compromised values. |
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Reputation: 96
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007
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Posted on: March 30, 2008 1:46 am
I'm still proud of the BadgersYeah, button tops. Integrity really matters and Bo Ryan is at the top of the list as far as that's concerned. "This group has done more (than any other) in terms of what he's asked; I think that's been the biggest thing," assistant coach Greg Gard said. "They have met every single expectation that he's laid out in front of them. ... They've overcome a lot of odds and a lot of speculation that they weren't going to be this good. I think when he sees kids like this buy in and just totally believe and jump on, he's (affected). "The other thing is how he sees these guys interact with each other. They all have each other's back. There's no individualism with this group. For the true coach's coach, and he's been at this for a long time, those things really hit home with him." That make me proud to see things like that. Im' sure there are lots of coaches who are the same way, but there are a lot that aren't. Bo Ryan is a teacher first and foremost and for that reason, I'll never complain about a team losing in the Sweet 16 (not that I'm not disappointed...I am, but not at them, just that I dont' get to see them play any more).But, it's been a tough year for Wisconsin sports, LOL! Hopefully the hockey team can make up for it! I've never been around a year where there were so many close calls. I could have had Final Four and Super Bowl tickets this year, too! Oh well. On Wisconsin. |
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Posted on: March 30, 2008 1:48 am
I'm still proud of the BadgersOh, and thanks for the complement! |
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Level: Superstar Since: Aug 28, 2006
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Posted on: April 1, 2008 10:49 pm
I'm still proud of the BadgersTruly a great year to be proud of because no one expected this kind of season. I know it could of been more but we got more then we bargained for!!! Unlike last year when they left a lot to be desired for!!!! |
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Reputation: 96
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007
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Posted on: April 1, 2008 11:20 pm
I'm still proud of the BadgersTruly a great year to be proud of because no one expected this kind of season. I know it could of been more but we got more then we bargained for!!! Unlike last year when they left a lot to be desired for!!!! |
