The Wisconsin Badgers are back in the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, but unlike the previous two seasons, this trip was unexpected to say the least.
Back on January 12, the Badgers suffered a loss to Northwestern, which placed them with a record of (9-9) overall and (1-4) in Big 10 play. At the time, Wisconsin was nowhere near anyone’s tournament radar, well maybe the NIT but that’s about it.
Head coach Greg Gard always kept the faith.
“This game was kind of a microcosm of our season. This group would not quit, not give in,” he said.
Following that January loss to Northwestern, the Badgers decided to have a players only meeting and it completely changed the season for this bunch.
“It’s kinda cool to see how far we’ve came since then,” junior forward Vitto Brown said.
Last night’s hero Bronson Koenig had this to say.
“We didn’t want to be the first team in however long to not make the tournament.”
Now, Greg Gard’s ball club has to the task of beating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to reach the Elite 8.