The Road to the Final Four

Wow.

The Badgers are going to the Final Four!

An overtime 64 - 63 victory over the top - seed Arizona Wildcats.

Frank Kaminsky with an outstanding effort - 28 points and selected as the Most Valuable Player of the West Regional.

A year ago, #44 was a sophomore who played some off the bench, but other than hitting some long distance 3 point shots didn't have much of an impact on Bucky's season.

In the off season, he practiced and worked out and became a difference maker on the court.

A classic example of a player putting in time in the gym and ready for the opportunity when it presented itself on the court.

It's safe to say that virtually no one a year ago would have expected Kaminsky to have the kind of impact he's had on this year's team.  But, as Frank would point out, it's not just him.

It's Josh Gasser and a shut down defense against the opponents best player.  Trae Jackson with steady leadership, strong ball-handling, and clutch shooting.

Ben Brust and crucial threes (setting the all-time Badger record).  Sam Dekker becoming a leader on and off the court.  Contributions off the bench made a huge difference from Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes, and Duje Dukan.

Beyond that, the win was created in the off season workouts and on the practice court.

A big tip of the hat to Coach Bo Ryan.  He's led the Badgers to the NCAA tourney each of his 13 seasons - and an Elite 8 berth a previous time to this season.

For some reason, there were some in Cheese country who thought he had under-achieved since he hadn't taken his team to the Final Four.  Well, that monkey (undeserved, in my opinion) is off his back.

Coach Ryan won 4 titles while coaching UW-Platteville (Wisconsin) in NCAA Division III.  He's been a winner his whole life.

He learned from his dad, Butch.  Butch was a familiar figure to the Badger team and the fans around the state.  He and Bo's mom both died within the last year - so this is the first Final Four that Butch wasn't going to be there with his son.  But, he will be in Bo's heart.

Saturday would have been Butch's 90th Birthday.

When Dick Bennett took the plucky Badgers to the Final Four in 2000 - it was a great effort, but it wasn't expected that the team had more than a punchers chance at winning/

This team has a real opportunity to have some fun in North Texas.

Time to get some rest - and I'll set aside the pair of Wisconsin socks, Wisconsin T, and motion W cap for next Saturday's National Semi-final against either Kentucky or Michigan.

A lot of nice things heading into next weekend - the last time Bucky went to the Final Four came through the West Regional.

Even better for those of us with allegiance to the Badgers and Packers... the site of the Final Four outside Arlington is the same place where the Packers beat the Steelers to win Super Bowl 45.

Now... I need to find a Final Four Bucky shirt.

Let's win two more, Badgers!  And thank you for a wonderful ride.