Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.
Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/293106
16 // VARSITY April 10, 2014 BY MATT LEPAY // VOICE OF THE BADGERS THE VOICE I will start with a confession. I felt sick after the Badgers' 74-73 loss to Kentucky in what is sure to go down as one of the classic games in Final Four history. My ensuing sleep deprivation had nothing to do with being disap- pointed as a fan. It had everything to do with how badly I felt for every player, coach, support staff member and the families of all of the above. They are the only ones who truly know the investment that goes into being such a good team. Veteran national observers, who have witnessed their share of locker rooms after season ending losses, commented on the scene in the Badgers' room after the one-point heartbreaker. Bo Ryan is spot-on when he says a game is never about one posses- sion. Still, it is impossible for most of us to not replay the final 16.4 seconds of Saturday's game. After last Saturday night, if we fail to un- derstand the razor's edge difference between euphoria and despair, we probably never will. When Traevon Jackson hit 2 of 3 free throws, Wisconsin led 73- 71. Kentucky's Andrew Harrison brought the ball up court. From right of the key, he started to drive the baseline. With Jackson defend- ing and Frank Kaminsky there for help, Harrison very nearly stepped on the baseline ― perhaps coming within an inch or two at most. He then left his feet to release a pass to Dakari Johnson, who bobbled the ball. For a flash, he was close to losing it. However, Johnson gathered and passed off to Andrew Harrison, who then gave it up to his brother Aaron, who snapped off the now infamous (for Badgers fans) 25-foot jumper over Josh Gasser. A reasonably well contested 25-footer. After both teams took a timeout, the Badgers went to their big shot artist, Trae Jackson. Why not? In the last two years, he has earned the reputation as one of the best clutch shot makers around. He raced up the floor and managed to get a very decent look from left of the lane. As analyst Steve Kerr told a national TV audience "That literally missed by about one inch. He's banking his shot all the way. And it's just an inch long." That close. One inch. But you know what? Arizona players and coaches might be think- ing the same thing after Wisconsin's 64-63 victory in Anaheim. The same for Oregon after the Badgers rallied to beat the Ducks in Milwau- kee. The final score says 85-77, but anyone who witnessed it knows it was closer than an eight-point game. In three of the Badgers' five NCAA tournament games, there seemingly was a season's worth of drama, with so much hanging on every shot. Twice the ball bounced the right way. One time it did not. We are reminded that the football term "game of inches" can apply to bas- ketball, as well. Looking ahead to next season, it is almost a given the Badgers will be very highly regarded. They could be the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten. They will hear Final Four talk in November. To be sure, the future appears quite promising. Hopefully, they will have the chance to cut down multiple nets in March and April. But as we have seen, the team that wins it all needs to have a ton of things go right. Catching a break or two along the way never hurts. For the returning players, per- haps the bitter conclusion will serve as motivation. It can help them push through the off-season workouts and beyond. For the rest of us, I hope we can appreciate the accomplishments of this team and the memories it pro- vided. It was one heck of a ride. Badgers' close call shows razor's edge of tourney