Badgers Win Big - Oh, What Fun!

Since moving back to Wisconsin - today was the second Badger Men's game I was privileged to attend.  The first game was against the 'Blue Hose' of Presbyterian College.  Let's just say, this one had a little higher stakes.

As they like to say in their home state, 'the' (pronounced 'thee') Ohio State University team, ranked #13 in the country, taking on our plucky #20 ranked Badgers from 'the' University of Wisconsin. 

(Really, is someone over there in Ohio concerned that there might be confusion between the behemoth in Columbus and the other state schools?  Well, it is cute to use 'thee' all the time, I suppose.)

Bucky's boys got off to a fast start and never looked back, up 17 at half-time and a 22 point victory margin at the finish.  The Kohl Center was excited before the opening tip and rocked all the way to the finish.

 

We had a great time, arriving as the doors opened on a beautiful sunny day (this is Wisconsin, so highs today in the mid 20s after a single digit start), picked out some Badger pins, a couple of items from the concession, and enjoyed the show from our perch in the third level seats.

Other than a couple of early season games, I've seen all of the Badger games, and this was the best one they have played from start to finish (although the game when they beat the Hoosiers in Bloomington is close), and after a tough loss in Minnesota a few days ago, a much needed win as well.

Lots of sights and sounds inside the arena that don't quite translate to the not-so-small HDTV screen - the students in swimsuits and tutus; or the slightly off-color impromptu anthems tomorrow's future leaders dream up before the game; or most of all, the incredibly energizing feeling to be part of the living organism in the arena as it seems like your own cheers, enthusiasm, and 'want to' are making a difference for the guys on the court.  

What a blast!  Go Badgers!