They Can't All be Pretty

Hey, a win is a win, right? The Badgers find themselves back in the Big Ten lead after a 58-53 victory at Ohio State. As of Sunday, they are a slim 1/2 game ahead of Indiana and Purdue. Credit the Badgers for winning games they are supposed to be winning, even though they did come into Ohio State as the underdog, according to Vegas. But the Badgers truly did grit one out to come away with the victory.

The Badgers fell behind early, in part because Brian Butch was in foul trouble right away. They would trial the Buckeyes most of the game until late in the 2nd half. Jason Bohannon continued his hot streak, scoring 16 points off the bench.

I say the win was ugly because at many times it seemed the Badgers not only had problem with Ohio State's zone defense, but also creating shots. The last three minutes of this one were nothing to marvel at. The Badgers were up three, and were using all 35 of the shot clock on their possessions. Not a bad strategy, but they rarely had a good look at the bucket and kept missing. Ohio State, however, never was able to convert, and this sequence went on for a few possessions.

The Badgers then scored with about 12 seconds left and Ohio State was now down five points. The game still wasn't over by any means, but Ohio State must have thought it was. The Buckeyes lead a very unorganized and inspiring effort to try to win the game in the final seconds, after playing well against Wisconsin for the other 39 1/2 minutes of the game.

But, as I said a win is a win, and the Badgers are now 13-2 in the Big Ten, and hoping for a Purdue loss.