By MICHAEL MAROT
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — J.T. Barrett felt and played like his old self Saturday.
The only thing that would make the Ohio State quarterback feel better would be making the playoffs.
Six days after undergoing surgery on his right knee, Barrett started the game, threw two touchdown passes, ran for another and led No. 8 Ohio State to a 27-21 victory over previously unbeaten No. 3 Wisconsin for the Buckeyes' first Big Ten title since their 2014 national championship run.
"We have two wins over two top-four team and another one over a team ranked 12th or 13th," said coach Urban Meyer, who included a win over Penn State in his rundown. "We're a conference champion and we deserve a shot."
All the Buckeyes (11-2, No. 8 CFP) can do now is wait to see if college football's selection committee agrees.
With one final chance to make an impression, Ohio State ended the Badgers' perfect season and the nation's longest active winning streak at 13 by winning their fourth in a row.
And they did it behind a quarterback many expected to be watching.
But unlike most athletes, who need at least two or three weeks to recover from minor knee surgery, Barrett told doctors and coaches he would be OK.
After watching Barrett in pregame warmups with a protective brace around the injured knee, Meyer gave his three-time captain the starting nod. Barrett didn't disappoint.
He wound up 12 of 26 for 211 yards and two interceptions and ran 19 times for 60 yards including a crucial fourth-down conversion that set up the last field goal of the game.
"We expected to see the best and he was," Badgers coach Paul Chryst said of Barrett. "He's a heck of a quarterback."
It didn't take Barrett long to get going, either.
Following a 9-yard run on third down on the Buckeyes' second possession he hooked up with a wide open Terry McLaurin for an 84-yard TD pass to make it 7-0.
Two possessions later, Barrett threw a short pass to Parris Campbell, who turned a missed tackle into a 57-yard mistake for another score. Then after a 77-yard run by J.K. Dobbins, Barrett powered in from the 1-yard line to give the Buckeyes a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter.
"It never does (surprise me)," Meyer said. "That's just because I've had (Tim) Tebow — this kid is a lot like him. How you keep him out of the game I just don't know how it happens."
No, Barrett wasn't perfect.
The only time he really paid for it, though, came on an ill-advised pass from near his goal line in the first quarter. Barrett was picked off by Andrew Van Ginkel, who returned it 9 yards for a Wisconsin score.
Otherwise, the Buckeyes stayed pretty much in control and kept Barrett out of trouble.
"I didn't have any pain in my knee," Barrett said before answering whether the Buckeyes deserve a playoff spot. "I feel like we're one of the best teams in the country."
Wisconsin got within 21-10 at halftime and 21-13 early in the third quarter before the offense got into the end zone on Chris James' 1-yard run early in the fourth. A conversion pass from Alex Hornibrook to Troy Fumagalli cut the deficit to 24-21.
But Barrett's extra effort on the fourth down play set up the field goal and the Buckeyes defense stopped Wisconsin twice to close it out.
THE TAKEAWAY
Ohio State: Since getting blown out at Iowa last month, the Buckeyes have been trying to play their way back into the playoff picture. The win over Wisconsin just might do it. Three of the four playoff spots were likely sewn up Saturday, going to Big 12 champ Oklahoma, SEC champ Georgia and ACC champ Clemson. Will the committee take another conference champion over Auburn or Alabama? Stay tuned till Sunday.
Wisconsin: Critics contended the Badgers were never as good as their undefeated record because of a weak schedule. On Saturday, they fought to the end but still came up short. The usually stout defense missed too many tackles and gave up too many big plays.
RECORD BREAKER
The last time Dobbins played a game in Indiana, he rushed for freshman game record of 181 yards in a rout over the Hoosiers. This time, Dobbins broke Maurice Clarett's season freshman record at Ohio State. And all he needed was one run. Dobbins finished with 17 carries for 174 yards and surpassed Clarett's total of 1,237 yards on the 77-yard run. He finished the day with 1,364 yards. Dobbins was named the game's MVP.
STREAK BUSTERS
Wisconsin started the game as the only team in the nation that hadn't trailed in the fourth quarter. That streak ended when the Badgers opened the fourth down 24-13. Jonathan Taylor's streak of four straight 100-yard games also ended Saturday. The Big Ten rushing champ was held to 41 yards on 15 carries and failed to score for the fourth time this season.
TURF TWIST
The game was delayed after the seams of two pieces of turf came apart during James' TD run. The refs immediately stopped play and summoned maintenance, which spread a black substance underneath the turf and rubber pellets on top of the turf. After about 10 minutes, the game resumed to the roar of the crowd.
UP NEXT
Ohio State: Will find out where it's heading this postseason on Sunday.
Wisconsin: Also awaits its postseason fate Sunday.
Showing posts with label Wisconsin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wisconsin. Show all posts
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Elite! Chiozza hits 3 at OT buzzer, Gators beat Wisconsin
By RALPH D. RUSSO
AP College Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – With 4 seconds left in overtime, Chris Chiozza took off with the ball, hoping to get to the hoop or find an open man. Instead, the Florida point guard stopped short right at the 3-point line and let fly with a shot that will go down in Gators' history.
Chiozza's 3-pointer swished in at the buzzer in to send Florida to the East Regional final with an 84-83 victory over Wisconsin on Friday night in the most dramatic game of this NCAA Tournament.
"This is something for the rest of his life that he'll be remembered by," Florida coach Mike White. '"He made an unbelievable play."
The fourth-seeded Gators will play South Carolina on Sunday in an all-Southeastern Conference matchup for a spot in the Final Four.
Nigel Hayes had given the Badgers (27-10) a 2-point lead with 4 seconds left on two free throws. With no timeouts, the Gators inbounded to Chiozza and he took care of the rest for Florida (27-8), setting off a Swamp-like celebration at Madison Square Garden.
"I was going to pass, but I was really going to the rim. But they did a good job of bumping me and slowing me down, and that was the shot I had so I had to have that one," Chiozza said.
Hayes ended up chasing and that is no way to play defense.
"I need to do a better job of making him change directions. He's extremely quick with the ball and he was able to put it in one hand and kind of outrun me," Hayes said.
Wisconsin's Zak Showalter was set to be the star before Chiozza took it away. Showalter, a senior, forced overtime with a leaping 3-pointer off one leg with 2.1 seconds left in regulation - pointing to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the crowd - as the Badgers wiped out a 12-point, second-half deficit in the last 4:15.
Florida is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2014, and for the first time under White - the former Mississippi guard who was on the losing end of one of the most famous game-winning shots in NCAA history.
White and the Rebels were upset by Valparaiso on Bryce Drew's buzzer-beater in 1998. Does this one make up for that?
"Hell yeah," said White, the second-year coach who replaced Billy Donovan. "With an emphasis on the hell. Yeah. Absolutely. What a neat game to be a part of, especially when you're on the winning end."
KeVaughn Allen earned the respect of Rodgers for carrying Florida most of the way. Allen broke out of a slump with a career-high 35 points.
Eighth-seeded Wisconsin built a five-point lead in overtime, but with star guard Bronson Koenig hobbled by a leg issue the Badgers couldn't close out Florida.
After Wisconsin's Khalil Iverson hit the front of the rim on a breakaway dunk that Florida's Canyon Barry got a piece of, Chiozza drove for a layup that tied it at 81 with 24 seconds left.
The Badgers put it in Hayes' hands on their final possession. The senior who scored the winning bucket in Wisconsin's upset of defending champion Villanova, used a spin move to draw a foul.
Hayes had 22 in his last game for Wisconsin.
Making their fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance, it looked as if the experienced Badgers had once again found a way to survive and advance.
Chiozza then earned himself a spot in the "One Shining Moment" montage.
BIG PICTURE
Wisconsin: The end of an era for the Badgers. Seniors Hayes, Koenig, Showalter and Vitto Brown go out having been part of four straight Sweet 16 appearances.
"This is a tough way for them to go out," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. "And how they battled back, came from 12 down, it's kind of a microcosm of how they have navigated through the program. They have fought back at adverse times and tonight was a great testament to their Will and never give up attitude."
All-Big Ten selection Ethan Happ will return as the focal point for the Badgers next season, but there will be bigger roles for players such as Khalil Iverson, D'Mitrik Trice and Brevin Pritzl.
Florida: The SEC only got five of its 14 teams into the NCAA Tournament, but it will have three in the final eight for the first time since 1986 (Kentucky plays in the South Regional final against North Carolina on Sunday) and at least one in the Final Four. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey was at the Garden, enjoying the S-E-C! chants. Sankey brought two ties with him to the arena. He had garnet for South Carolina in game one and then changed to blue and orange for Florida in the nightcap.
UP NEXT
Florida: The Gators split two regular-season games with South Carolina.
AP College Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – With 4 seconds left in overtime, Chris Chiozza took off with the ball, hoping to get to the hoop or find an open man. Instead, the Florida point guard stopped short right at the 3-point line and let fly with a shot that will go down in Gators' history.
Chiozza's 3-pointer swished in at the buzzer in to send Florida to the East Regional final with an 84-83 victory over Wisconsin on Friday night in the most dramatic game of this NCAA Tournament.
"This is something for the rest of his life that he'll be remembered by," Florida coach Mike White. '"He made an unbelievable play."
The fourth-seeded Gators will play South Carolina on Sunday in an all-Southeastern Conference matchup for a spot in the Final Four.
Nigel Hayes had given the Badgers (27-10) a 2-point lead with 4 seconds left on two free throws. With no timeouts, the Gators inbounded to Chiozza and he took care of the rest for Florida (27-8), setting off a Swamp-like celebration at Madison Square Garden.
"I was going to pass, but I was really going to the rim. But they did a good job of bumping me and slowing me down, and that was the shot I had so I had to have that one," Chiozza said.
Hayes ended up chasing and that is no way to play defense.
"I need to do a better job of making him change directions. He's extremely quick with the ball and he was able to put it in one hand and kind of outrun me," Hayes said.
Wisconsin's Zak Showalter was set to be the star before Chiozza took it away. Showalter, a senior, forced overtime with a leaping 3-pointer off one leg with 2.1 seconds left in regulation - pointing to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the crowd - as the Badgers wiped out a 12-point, second-half deficit in the last 4:15.
Florida is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2014, and for the first time under White - the former Mississippi guard who was on the losing end of one of the most famous game-winning shots in NCAA history.
White and the Rebels were upset by Valparaiso on Bryce Drew's buzzer-beater in 1998. Does this one make up for that?
"Hell yeah," said White, the second-year coach who replaced Billy Donovan. "With an emphasis on the hell. Yeah. Absolutely. What a neat game to be a part of, especially when you're on the winning end."
KeVaughn Allen earned the respect of Rodgers for carrying Florida most of the way. Allen broke out of a slump with a career-high 35 points.
Eighth-seeded Wisconsin built a five-point lead in overtime, but with star guard Bronson Koenig hobbled by a leg issue the Badgers couldn't close out Florida.
After Wisconsin's Khalil Iverson hit the front of the rim on a breakaway dunk that Florida's Canyon Barry got a piece of, Chiozza drove for a layup that tied it at 81 with 24 seconds left.
The Badgers put it in Hayes' hands on their final possession. The senior who scored the winning bucket in Wisconsin's upset of defending champion Villanova, used a spin move to draw a foul.
Hayes had 22 in his last game for Wisconsin.
Making their fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance, it looked as if the experienced Badgers had once again found a way to survive and advance.
Chiozza then earned himself a spot in the "One Shining Moment" montage.
BIG PICTURE
Wisconsin: The end of an era for the Badgers. Seniors Hayes, Koenig, Showalter and Vitto Brown go out having been part of four straight Sweet 16 appearances.
"This is a tough way for them to go out," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. "And how they battled back, came from 12 down, it's kind of a microcosm of how they have navigated through the program. They have fought back at adverse times and tonight was a great testament to their Will and never give up attitude."
All-Big Ten selection Ethan Happ will return as the focal point for the Badgers next season, but there will be bigger roles for players such as Khalil Iverson, D'Mitrik Trice and Brevin Pritzl.
Florida: The SEC only got five of its 14 teams into the NCAA Tournament, but it will have three in the final eight for the first time since 1986 (Kentucky plays in the South Regional final against North Carolina on Sunday) and at least one in the Final Four. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey was at the Garden, enjoying the S-E-C! chants. Sankey brought two ties with him to the arena. He had garnet for South Carolina in game one and then changed to blue and orange for Florida in the nightcap.
UP NEXT
Florida: The Gators split two regular-season games with South Carolina.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Topple-seed: Villanova stunned 65-62 by Wisconsin in NCAA
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) When the season ended suddenly and shockingly, much earlier than Villanova expected, Kris Jenkins bent over in disbelief near mid-court.
There would be no game-winning shot, no confetti-filled celebration, no more games. The defending champions - and No. 1 overall seed - are done.
On Wisconsin.
After two relatively routine days, madness returned to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday as top-seeded Villanova was bounced from the brackets and the East region 65-62 by No. 8 seed Wisconsin, which added another major upset to its resume and stormed into the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year.
Nigel Hayes scored 19 points, dropping a layup in traffic with 11.4 seconds left, and Bronson Koenig shook off foul trouble and added 17 for the tournament-toughened Badgers (27-9), who will play next week at New York's Madison Square Garden after knocking off a Villanova team that never found its traction in snowy Buffalo.
"Seeds don't matter," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. "I told these guys I don't care where we're seeded. We have to win six games. Let's start with these two this weekend."
Mission accomplished.
Senior Josh Hart scored 19 to lead the Wildcats, but the guard was bottled up and stripped by Wisconsin's Ethan Happ and Vitto Brown on a drive in the final seconds. Brown then split two free throws with 4 seconds left, but Villanova struggled to corral the rebound and then couldn't get off a final shot.
It was a bitter ending for the Wildcats, who were trying to be the first team to repeat as champions since 2007. But starting with an unimpressive performance against No. 16 Mount St. Mary's in its opener on Thursday, Villanova looked vulnerable and instead became the first No. 1 seed to be sent home.
"To me, there's no dishonor in losing in this tournament," said coach Jay Wright, whose team lost as a No. 2 in Buffalo three years ago. "We've lived through it. You are judged by how you play in this tournament and that's the reality of it. So, you have to accept it."
When the horn sounded, Wisconsin's red-clad fans erupted in celebration and the Badgers stormed the court after taking down a No. 1 seed for the third time in four years. Wisconsin beat Arizona in 2014, Kentucky in 2015 and now can add Villanova to its list.
Flushed with pride, Gard hugged his wife and children as the Badgers' pep band played their hearts out. A few minutes later, Wisconsin's players doused each other with water and tore a few signs off the walls in KeyBank Center for souvenirs.
Hayes has been part of all those previous upsets by Wisconsin.
"All of those games we've been the underdog," he said. "You have all types of ranking systems, statistics. The thing with all those algorithms is they can't calculate heart, will to win, toughness, desire. And that's the thing we have."
Villanova came into the NCAAs on a roll after winning the Big East Tournament and was expected to at least escape the East but had their hopes busted and will have to relish those moments from last year when they won their first title since 1985.
Wright was concerned about Wisconsin, calling them a "great number eight" seed and compared them to Butler, which beat Villanova twice during the season. As it turned out, the Badgers were more than that, as savvy seniors Koenig and Hayes made several key plays in the closing minutes as Wisconsin overcame a 57-50 deficit.
Super sub freshman Donte DiVincenzo scored 15 and Jalen Brunson added 11 for Villanova. But the Wildcats got little from Jenkins, the hero of last year's title game when he drained a 3-pointer to beat North Carolina. Jenkins couldn't shake a prolonged shooting slump and went just 2 of 9 and 4 of 22 in two games.
Jenkins and fellow seniors Hart and Darryl Reynolds finish their career 129-17 in four years, but the sting of their last loss might linger.
"We're close on and off the court and that bond is never going to be broken," Hart said.
UNDER PRESSURE
The Badgers have been at their best when it matters most.
Under Gard, Wisconsin improved to 39-1 when leading or tied with 5 minutes remaining, including 24-1 this season.
MORE PRESSURE
With a crown comes expectations, sometimes unrealistic ones. Tabbed as the team to beat - well, at least one of them - Villanova's players and coaches knew anything less than a return to the Final Four would be looked at as failure.
Maybe not fair, but Wright knows that's the reality.
"You're a one seed, you're supposed to get to the Final Four, get out of your bracket," he said. "That's probably what we have to be to be a success. And as you know, we accept that, we'll take it. We're not going to define ourselves that way, but we do get it."
BIG PICTURE
Villanova: There would be no magic this March for the Wildcats, who didn't talk about repeating but were constantly reminded about trying to repeat. Jenkins and Hart are NBA bound, but in Brunson, DiVincenzo and Eric Paschall, Villanova has a solid core coming back.
Wisconsin: All that's left for the Badgers seniors - Koenig, Hayes, Brown and Zak Showalter - is to win a national title. They've won 13 NCAA tourney games in the past four years and can't be overlooked. This team can play almost any style and in Koenig Wisconsin has a player capable of taking over.
UP NEXT
Wisconsin: Will play the Florida-Virginia winner next week.
AP Sports Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) When the season ended suddenly and shockingly, much earlier than Villanova expected, Kris Jenkins bent over in disbelief near mid-court.
There would be no game-winning shot, no confetti-filled celebration, no more games. The defending champions - and No. 1 overall seed - are done.
On Wisconsin.
After two relatively routine days, madness returned to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday as top-seeded Villanova was bounced from the brackets and the East region 65-62 by No. 8 seed Wisconsin, which added another major upset to its resume and stormed into the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year.
Nigel Hayes scored 19 points, dropping a layup in traffic with 11.4 seconds left, and Bronson Koenig shook off foul trouble and added 17 for the tournament-toughened Badgers (27-9), who will play next week at New York's Madison Square Garden after knocking off a Villanova team that never found its traction in snowy Buffalo.
"Seeds don't matter," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. "I told these guys I don't care where we're seeded. We have to win six games. Let's start with these two this weekend."
Mission accomplished.
Senior Josh Hart scored 19 to lead the Wildcats, but the guard was bottled up and stripped by Wisconsin's Ethan Happ and Vitto Brown on a drive in the final seconds. Brown then split two free throws with 4 seconds left, but Villanova struggled to corral the rebound and then couldn't get off a final shot.
It was a bitter ending for the Wildcats, who were trying to be the first team to repeat as champions since 2007. But starting with an unimpressive performance against No. 16 Mount St. Mary's in its opener on Thursday, Villanova looked vulnerable and instead became the first No. 1 seed to be sent home.
"To me, there's no dishonor in losing in this tournament," said coach Jay Wright, whose team lost as a No. 2 in Buffalo three years ago. "We've lived through it. You are judged by how you play in this tournament and that's the reality of it. So, you have to accept it."
When the horn sounded, Wisconsin's red-clad fans erupted in celebration and the Badgers stormed the court after taking down a No. 1 seed for the third time in four years. Wisconsin beat Arizona in 2014, Kentucky in 2015 and now can add Villanova to its list.
Flushed with pride, Gard hugged his wife and children as the Badgers' pep band played their hearts out. A few minutes later, Wisconsin's players doused each other with water and tore a few signs off the walls in KeyBank Center for souvenirs.
Hayes has been part of all those previous upsets by Wisconsin.
"All of those games we've been the underdog," he said. "You have all types of ranking systems, statistics. The thing with all those algorithms is they can't calculate heart, will to win, toughness, desire. And that's the thing we have."
Villanova came into the NCAAs on a roll after winning the Big East Tournament and was expected to at least escape the East but had their hopes busted and will have to relish those moments from last year when they won their first title since 1985.
Wright was concerned about Wisconsin, calling them a "great number eight" seed and compared them to Butler, which beat Villanova twice during the season. As it turned out, the Badgers were more than that, as savvy seniors Koenig and Hayes made several key plays in the closing minutes as Wisconsin overcame a 57-50 deficit.
Super sub freshman Donte DiVincenzo scored 15 and Jalen Brunson added 11 for Villanova. But the Wildcats got little from Jenkins, the hero of last year's title game when he drained a 3-pointer to beat North Carolina. Jenkins couldn't shake a prolonged shooting slump and went just 2 of 9 and 4 of 22 in two games.
Jenkins and fellow seniors Hart and Darryl Reynolds finish their career 129-17 in four years, but the sting of their last loss might linger.
"We're close on and off the court and that bond is never going to be broken," Hart said.
UNDER PRESSURE
The Badgers have been at their best when it matters most.
Under Gard, Wisconsin improved to 39-1 when leading or tied with 5 minutes remaining, including 24-1 this season.
MORE PRESSURE
With a crown comes expectations, sometimes unrealistic ones. Tabbed as the team to beat - well, at least one of them - Villanova's players and coaches knew anything less than a return to the Final Four would be looked at as failure.
Maybe not fair, but Wright knows that's the reality.
"You're a one seed, you're supposed to get to the Final Four, get out of your bracket," he said. "That's probably what we have to be to be a success. And as you know, we accept that, we'll take it. We're not going to define ourselves that way, but we do get it."
BIG PICTURE
Villanova: There would be no magic this March for the Wildcats, who didn't talk about repeating but were constantly reminded about trying to repeat. Jenkins and Hart are NBA bound, but in Brunson, DiVincenzo and Eric Paschall, Villanova has a solid core coming back.
Wisconsin: All that's left for the Badgers seniors - Koenig, Hayes, Brown and Zak Showalter - is to win a national title. They've won 13 NCAA tourney games in the past four years and can't be overlooked. This team can play almost any style and in Koenig Wisconsin has a player capable of taking over.
UP NEXT
Wisconsin: Will play the Florida-Virginia winner next week.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Koenig shoots Wisconsin past Virginia Tech 84-74
By TOM WITHERS
Associated Press
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — There's little left for Bronson Koenig to accomplish at Wisconsin. Over four years, he has done it all, seen it all.
He's not ready for his run to end.
Koenig made a school-record eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points and fellow senior Nigel Hayes added 16 as NCAA Tournament-tested Wisconsin advanced in the East Region with an 84-74 victory over Virginia Tech on Thursday night.
With Koenig and Hayes leading the charge, the eighth-seeded Badgers (26-9) made all the big plays in the closing minutes to set up a meeting with top-seeded Villanova on Saturday. The Wildcats shook off a sluggish and strange first half and downed Mount St. Mary's 76-56.
Koenig made five 3-pointers in the second half and the Badgers needed every last one.
"I've seen him do a lot of things," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. "I've watched him win two state championships. Obviously, I've watched him for four years here with us. He's a heck of a player."
No team understands the survive-and-advance mentality in this tourney better than Wisconsin, the only school in the country to make the Sweet 16 in the last three years. And the Badgers turned to Koenig and Hayes, two of their four senior starters, to get them within one win of another trip to the third round.
"I think it definitely helped a lot for us to have the older guys that we have to have been through some of the runs that we've had in the tournament," said Hayes, who added 10 rebounds. "I think it showed with Bronson, the way he responded to each time they went on a run. Each time they hit a big shot he responded with a big shot. And it's something that you need."
Zach Leday scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half to pace the ninth-seeded Hokies (22-11), whose first NCAA visit since 2007 ended quickly.
Wisconsin has won 12 NCAA games in the past four tournaments, a testament to the Badgers' consistency as Koenig and Hayes have helped push the Big Ten power among the nation's elite programs.
Koenig's seventh 3-pointer — and fourth of the second half — put the Badgers ahead 63-59 with 8:21 remaining, and after Virginia Tech got within one, he dropped another corner 3 — that one hitting the front of the rim and bouncing off the backboard before dropping through the net.
"I was feeling it a little bit," he said with a shrug.
Koenig couldn't miss, but while he did his damage from the outside for Wisconsin, the Hokies attacked inside with Leday muscling for layups off nice feeds from Seth Allen and Justin Robinson.
Virginia Tech was still within 74-73 when Hayes, who leads all active players with 146 career points in the tournament, scored underneath and completed a three-point play to give Wisconsin a little breathing room.
After Allen missed a 3, Koenig was off the mark, but junior center Ethan Happ scored on a putback, giving Wisconsin a 79-73 lead. Virginia Tech missed a few deep shots and Hayes came up with a huge tap-back rebound before Koenig was fouled and dropped both free throws to make it 81-74.
Ty Outlaw scored 16 points and Robinson had 11 for the Hokies. Allen shook off a toe injury and finished with 10, but was only 3 of 10 from the field.
"We fought as hard as we could," Leday said. "At the end of the day, they made more winning plays than us. We gave it our all, we just came up short."
HOBBLED HOKIE
Allen left the court in the first half to get treatment on his toe. He moved well in the second half, but wasn't the same.
"Our team knew he has really bad turf toe," coach Buzz Williams said. "Our team doctor was here. He obviously played less minutes (25) than normal. We've obviously endured a short roster all year long. He wasn't the reason why we lost, but it was a part of the story, for sure."
ON WISCONSIN
The Badgers have played in 19 straight NCAA tournaments and improved to 15-3 in the round of 64 since 2000.
BIG PICTURE
Wisconsin: With Koenig, Hayes and junior Happ, the Badgers have the necessary know how and talent to make another deep run. They made the title game in 2015.
Virginia Tech: Williams has quickly turned around the Hokies program in just three years as they have moved themselves up the ladder in the ACC.
UP NEXT
Wisconsin: A date with the tourney's top-seeded team.
Associated Press
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — There's little left for Bronson Koenig to accomplish at Wisconsin. Over four years, he has done it all, seen it all.
He's not ready for his run to end.
Koenig made a school-record eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points and fellow senior Nigel Hayes added 16 as NCAA Tournament-tested Wisconsin advanced in the East Region with an 84-74 victory over Virginia Tech on Thursday night.
With Koenig and Hayes leading the charge, the eighth-seeded Badgers (26-9) made all the big plays in the closing minutes to set up a meeting with top-seeded Villanova on Saturday. The Wildcats shook off a sluggish and strange first half and downed Mount St. Mary's 76-56.
Koenig made five 3-pointers in the second half and the Badgers needed every last one.
"I've seen him do a lot of things," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. "I've watched him win two state championships. Obviously, I've watched him for four years here with us. He's a heck of a player."
No team understands the survive-and-advance mentality in this tourney better than Wisconsin, the only school in the country to make the Sweet 16 in the last three years. And the Badgers turned to Koenig and Hayes, two of their four senior starters, to get them within one win of another trip to the third round.
"I think it definitely helped a lot for us to have the older guys that we have to have been through some of the runs that we've had in the tournament," said Hayes, who added 10 rebounds. "I think it showed with Bronson, the way he responded to each time they went on a run. Each time they hit a big shot he responded with a big shot. And it's something that you need."
Zach Leday scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half to pace the ninth-seeded Hokies (22-11), whose first NCAA visit since 2007 ended quickly.
Wisconsin has won 12 NCAA games in the past four tournaments, a testament to the Badgers' consistency as Koenig and Hayes have helped push the Big Ten power among the nation's elite programs.
Koenig's seventh 3-pointer — and fourth of the second half — put the Badgers ahead 63-59 with 8:21 remaining, and after Virginia Tech got within one, he dropped another corner 3 — that one hitting the front of the rim and bouncing off the backboard before dropping through the net.
"I was feeling it a little bit," he said with a shrug.
Koenig couldn't miss, but while he did his damage from the outside for Wisconsin, the Hokies attacked inside with Leday muscling for layups off nice feeds from Seth Allen and Justin Robinson.
Virginia Tech was still within 74-73 when Hayes, who leads all active players with 146 career points in the tournament, scored underneath and completed a three-point play to give Wisconsin a little breathing room.
After Allen missed a 3, Koenig was off the mark, but junior center Ethan Happ scored on a putback, giving Wisconsin a 79-73 lead. Virginia Tech missed a few deep shots and Hayes came up with a huge tap-back rebound before Koenig was fouled and dropped both free throws to make it 81-74.
Ty Outlaw scored 16 points and Robinson had 11 for the Hokies. Allen shook off a toe injury and finished with 10, but was only 3 of 10 from the field.
"We fought as hard as we could," Leday said. "At the end of the day, they made more winning plays than us. We gave it our all, we just came up short."
HOBBLED HOKIE
Allen left the court in the first half to get treatment on his toe. He moved well in the second half, but wasn't the same.
"Our team knew he has really bad turf toe," coach Buzz Williams said. "Our team doctor was here. He obviously played less minutes (25) than normal. We've obviously endured a short roster all year long. He wasn't the reason why we lost, but it was a part of the story, for sure."
ON WISCONSIN
The Badgers have played in 19 straight NCAA tournaments and improved to 15-3 in the round of 64 since 2000.
BIG PICTURE
Wisconsin: With Koenig, Hayes and junior Happ, the Badgers have the necessary know how and talent to make another deep run. They made the title game in 2015.
Virginia Tech: Williams has quickly turned around the Hokies program in just three years as they have moved themselves up the ladder in the ACC.
UP NEXT
Wisconsin: A date with the tourney's top-seeded team.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Virginia Tech-Wisconsin Preview
Stats, LLC
Virginia Tech is excited to be back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade. Wisconsin is miffed at its lowest seeding in eight years.
The No. 8 seed in the East Region, Wisconsin will face ninth-seeded Virginia Tech late Thursday night in an East Region first-round game at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The winner will advance to likely face reigning national champion and No. 1 overall seed Villanova.
The Badgers have won more NCAA Tournament games over the past three years (11) than any other program and are the only team to reach the Sweet 16 in each of those seasons. This is the lowest they have been seeded since 2009, when they were a No. 12 and upset Florida.
Wisconsin (25-9) was aiming for a higher seed this year with four seniors who were on the roster and two who played in the national title game two years ago (forward Nigel Hayes and guard Koenig). The Badgers were in good position after starting 21-3 but had a stretch of five losses in six games before rallying to reach the Big Ten championship game, where they lost to Michigan 71-56 on Sunday.
“Obviously, we thought we might have a higher seed than that,” senior guard Zak Showalter said. “We’ll have a chip on our shoulder and be ready to go.”
Coach Greg Gard said the Badgers need to put the Selection Sunday snub behind them.
“We’ve got to move on and play the game,” Gard said. “We can’t worry about what was decided in a committee room.”
The Hokies (22-10) had a different reaction to being seeded one line lower than Wisconin. Coach Buzz Williams choked back tears when he told fans on Sunday, “this is just the beginning.”
After the bracket announcement, Williams tweeted out a video of him line dancing to celebrate the school’s return to the Big Dance. The caption noted Virginia Tech’s RPI ranking was 246 when Williams took over the program three years ago after coaching at Marquette.
While Wisconsin is playing in its 19th straight NCAA Tournament, the fourth-longest active streak, this is Virginia Tech’s first appearance since 2007.
“Odds are, no matter who we played, unless it was Northwestern, we were going to have more newbies,” Williams said.
The Hokies have relied on two fifth-year seniors this year, including one who previously played in the NCAA Tournament — Maryland transfer Seth Allen, who is averaging 13.4 points on 54 percent shooting (45 percent from 3-point range).
Zach LeDay, a South Florida transfer, leads the Hokies in scoring (16.3 points) and rebounding (7.4) while shooting 53 percent. Both Allen and LeDay come off the bench.
Virginia Tech was weakened inside by a season-ending knee injury to second-leading rebounder and double-figure scorer Chris Clarke, but has compensated by shooting 40.3 percent from beyond the arc, a school record that ranks ninth nationally.
Despite its lower seeding, Wisconsin remains one of the strongest defensive teams in the country, ranking ninth in the KenPom efficiency rankings. The Badgers rarely foul, give up offensive rebounds or allow easy baskets inside.
Koenig leads the Badgers in scoring at 14.1 points per game. Sophomore center Ethan Happ averages 13.9 points on 58 percent shooting and 9.1 rebounds. Hayes averages 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.
This will be the second all-time meeting between the schools. Wisconsin won 74-72 at Virginia Tech in 2008.
Virginia Tech is excited to be back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade. Wisconsin is miffed at its lowest seeding in eight years.
The No. 8 seed in the East Region, Wisconsin will face ninth-seeded Virginia Tech late Thursday night in an East Region first-round game at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The winner will advance to likely face reigning national champion and No. 1 overall seed Villanova.
The Badgers have won more NCAA Tournament games over the past three years (11) than any other program and are the only team to reach the Sweet 16 in each of those seasons. This is the lowest they have been seeded since 2009, when they were a No. 12 and upset Florida.
Wisconsin (25-9) was aiming for a higher seed this year with four seniors who were on the roster and two who played in the national title game two years ago (forward Nigel Hayes and guard Koenig). The Badgers were in good position after starting 21-3 but had a stretch of five losses in six games before rallying to reach the Big Ten championship game, where they lost to Michigan 71-56 on Sunday.
“Obviously, we thought we might have a higher seed than that,” senior guard Zak Showalter said. “We’ll have a chip on our shoulder and be ready to go.”
Coach Greg Gard said the Badgers need to put the Selection Sunday snub behind them.
“We’ve got to move on and play the game,” Gard said. “We can’t worry about what was decided in a committee room.”
The Hokies (22-10) had a different reaction to being seeded one line lower than Wisconin. Coach Buzz Williams choked back tears when he told fans on Sunday, “this is just the beginning.”
After the bracket announcement, Williams tweeted out a video of him line dancing to celebrate the school’s return to the Big Dance. The caption noted Virginia Tech’s RPI ranking was 246 when Williams took over the program three years ago after coaching at Marquette.
While Wisconsin is playing in its 19th straight NCAA Tournament, the fourth-longest active streak, this is Virginia Tech’s first appearance since 2007.
“Odds are, no matter who we played, unless it was Northwestern, we were going to have more newbies,” Williams said.
The Hokies have relied on two fifth-year seniors this year, including one who previously played in the NCAA Tournament — Maryland transfer Seth Allen, who is averaging 13.4 points on 54 percent shooting (45 percent from 3-point range).
Zach LeDay, a South Florida transfer, leads the Hokies in scoring (16.3 points) and rebounding (7.4) while shooting 53 percent. Both Allen and LeDay come off the bench.
Virginia Tech was weakened inside by a season-ending knee injury to second-leading rebounder and double-figure scorer Chris Clarke, but has compensated by shooting 40.3 percent from beyond the arc, a school record that ranks ninth nationally.
Despite its lower seeding, Wisconsin remains one of the strongest defensive teams in the country, ranking ninth in the KenPom efficiency rankings. The Badgers rarely foul, give up offensive rebounds or allow easy baskets inside.
Koenig leads the Badgers in scoring at 14.1 points per game. Sophomore center Ethan Happ averages 13.9 points on 58 percent shooting and 9.1 rebounds. Hayes averages 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.
This will be the second all-time meeting between the schools. Wisconsin won 74-72 at Virginia Tech in 2008.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook listed as questionable vs. Penn State
Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook is listed as questionable with a head injury for the Big Ten championship game vs. Penn State on Saturday.
Bart Houston would likely be the starter if Hornibrook can not play.
Hornibrook left Saturday's Wisconsin win over Minnesota that clinched the Big Ten West title with a concussion, and his status for this weekend remains unclear.
"He was just in the office probably about 15 minutes ago [on Sunday], and says he's feeling good and feeling a lot better than he did yesterday," Head coach Paul Chryst told reporters. "Take it day by day, and see where he's at. I know he got on the bike today and did some things, said he felt good after that, but we'll probably just take it day by day here."
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Iowa tops No. 17 Nebraska 40-10, Wisconsin wins Big-Ten West
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — With a possible trip to the Big Ten championship game at stake, Nebraska fell flat.
C.J. Beathard threw three touchdown passes and the Hawkeyes pummeled No. 17 Nebraska 40-10 on Friday, knocking the Cornhuskers out of Big Ten title contention and sending Wisconsin to the championship game.
Tommy Armstrong started for Nebraska (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) despite a balky hamstring and was just 13 of 35 passing for 125 yards. Backup Ryker Fyfe, who broke his non-throwing wrist last week, didn't take a snap until the game had long been decided.
"Tommy wasn't 100 percent," Huskers coach Mike Riley said. "I don't know if he was the healthiest...I don't know how much it would have made a difference (to play Fyfe)."
Nebraska's defense was just as bad as its offense.
LeShun Daniels Jr. ran for 158 yards and two scores and George Kittle caught two TD passes for the Hawkeyes (8-4, 6-3). They closed the regular season with three straight wins — two of them over ranked opponents — and scored their most points since a win over Purdue on Oct. 15.
Iowa broke open what was expected to be a tight game with a 75-yard TD run by Akrum Wadley and a 77-yard touchdown throw from Beathard to Riley McCarron in the first quarter.
"We played as good as we've played all year," Beathard said. "It just shows the fight and the resilience of this team."
The Badgers are big favorites to beat Minnesota on Saturday anyway. But the Cornhuskers, who entered November as a legitimate playoff contender, hardly looked like one after being outscored 102-13 in their last two road games.
"We gave up big plays. I think we were horrible on third down," Riley said. "I'm really disappointed all the way around in all of us."
THE TAKEAWAY
Nebraska: With so much to play for, it's hard to believe that the Cornhuskers played so, so poorly. Nebraska gave up three plays of over 50 yards, and Armstrong was all over the place. The Huskers have lost three of their last four to Iowa, a fate sealed when they ran into Iowa kicker Keith Duncan on a field goal try in the fourth quarter — allowing the Hawkeyes to go up 23 a few plays later.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes didn't make it to the Big Ten title game either. But they did go 6-3 in the league, an impressive feat for a team that lost to North Dakota State of the FCS in its final nonconference game. Iowa also made its case for a high-profile bowl, which looked iffy to say the least after losing by 27 points at Penn State to start this month. "You learn a lot about yourself in November," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.
B1G TITLE GAME UPDATE
Wisconsin gets the West's spot in Indianapolis next week because it beat Nebraska 23-17 (OT) in late October. In the East, Penn State might have the easiest path. The favored Nittany Lions need to beat Michigan State at home and hope favored Ohio State beats Michigan on Saturday. Ohio State needs a win and a Penn State loss — and even if the Nittany Lions take the East the Buckeyes should be in good shape for the playoff at 11-1. Michigan needs to upset the hated Buckeyes.
EXTRA POINTS
Daniels became the first Iowa rusher with over 1,000 yards since 2011. ...Armstrong's 13-yard TD pass to Stanley Morgan snapped a streak of over 136 minutes without allowing a touchdown for Iowa. The Hawkeyes shut out Illinois 28-0 last week. ... Wadley had 105 yards rushing on just 11 carries. ... Armstrong made his 44th career start, setting a team record for a quarterback. Taylor Martinez, his predecessor, made 43 career starts.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Nebraska likely stays in the Top 25. But the Huskers could find themselves drop a few spots after their second straight poor showing on the road. Iowa, which reached as high as 13th earlier this year, could sneak back after beating the Huskers and Michigan in November.
UP NEXT
Nebraska will head to a decent bowl game just a year after sneaking into a bid with just five wins.
Iowa will find out which bowl game it will play in next Sunday.
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