48 // VARSITY February 13, 2014
Captain Clutch: Jackson
earns title of UW's closer
Junior known for late-game, clutch buckets
T
his past weekend, Trae-
von Jackson added an-
other chapter to his Cap-
tain Clutch series by sinking
yet another game-winner, this
time knocking off No. 8 Michi-
gan State.
Wisconsin's next opponent,
Minnesota, knows all too well
about Jackson's late-game he-
roics, as his game-winner with
2.1 seconds to go in last year's
Border Battle buried the Go-
phers. That game provided the
first example of the fearless-
ness and late-game heroics
that Jackson has come to be
known for.
Jackson's legend began with
Minnesota and has only grown
since then. Just over a week af-
ter his shot against Minnesota
last season, the Westerville,
Ohio, native buried another
late-game bucket, nailing a
3-pointer with 19 seconds left
to tie the game against Iowa,
eventually sending the game
to overtime. Wisconsin would
go on to beat the Hawkeyes,
74-70, at home.
Not only has Jackson's
clutch gene been on display
at the Kohl Center, but he's
also taken his show on the
road, saving his best for last
in 2012-13 ― the last regular-
season game, that is. At Penn
State, with the game tied at 60 and five
seconds remaining in regulation, Jackson
took an inbounds pass from Mike Brue-
sewitz at the opposite end of the floor
and dribbled into a 25-foot buzzer-beat-
ing 3-pointer.
Instances like these, along with his
late-game jumper against Florida earlier
this season, have cemented his reputa-
tion as a late-game closer with fans and
especially his teammates.
"He's going to hit the big shot when it
matters," Sam Dekker said. "There is no
one else I'd rather have the ball in their
hands in that situation."
SCHEDULE (19-5, 6-5)
LAST WEEK
Feb. 4 at Illinois W, 75-63
Feb. 10 #8 Mich. State W, 60-58
COMING UP
Thursday Minnesota 8 p.m.
Sunday at #15 Michigan Noon
Feb. 22 at #16 Iowa 11 a.m.
Feb. 26 Indiana 8 p.m.
INSIDE
MEN'S BASKETBALL
BY PATRICK HERB @BADGERMBB
