#Badgers dance to #Indy

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That was fun.  Two teams meeting for the second consecutive year with the same goal on the line - a trip to the NCAA Men's Final Four.

If you follow the Wisconsin Badgers, you remember the days not that long ago when the commentary was how the teams slowed the ball and relied on defense and taking as few shots as possible in pursuit of a victory.

My friends, these are not those Badgers.  They defeated the #2 seed Arizona Wildcats 85 -  78 which is not a slow down kind of score.  Sam Dekker (#15 right) scored 27 and the big man, Frank Kaminsky (lower right) delivered 29 to send top ranked U.W. to the last of three two game tournaments.

Just like the first three games of the Madness... there were some lulls in the offense and the Wildcats took advantage.  Arizona is a  strong team that wanted to redeem themselves after an overtime last year kept them from the Big Dance's last waltz.

It was the most even performance of the four games for Wisconsin in terms of effort.  There were a lot of fouls on both sides, which seems to be a theme in all the tournament games this year, but it seemed like Wisconsin's energy and effort was high right out of the gate.  That energy had some ragged edges, but I love to see it.

Lutheran High School product Dekker from Sheboygan, Wisconsin just keeps turning in better games.  He picked a great time for his career high point total.  8 of 11 in field goals, 5 of 6 from beyond the 3 point arc, and 6 of 7 from the free throw line was impressive.  Most impressive was the timing - especially his last.  It was a falling away three pointer that effectively ended the game and any hopes of an Arizona comeback.

Yet, this still was not Wisconsin on all cylinders.  It was close from three point range, where collectively they made 66% of their attempts and they made 55% overall.

To win next weekend will take a crisper defense and an offensive performance that comes close, even though it doesn't have to match.

The Badgers have been very good all year - their final exam comes in two parts (hopefully) next weekend in Indianapolis.

One final observation, as a Badger and Packer fan - it's awful nice to see the QB, Aaron Rodgers in the stands for both of Wisconsin's games this weekend.  He didn't have to be there, but great to see.