A hard one for the Badgers

One day after an easy win over Michigan, the Wisconsin men's basketball team had to perform their biggest comeback of the year against Michigan State. Down 12 at one point in the second half of the Big Ten tournament semi-final, the Badgers rallied for a 65-63 victory. Probably the biggest factor was MSU's foul troubles--they had four players foul out, including almost all of their big men. They had to go with a four guard line-up towards the end of the game.

On paper, Wisconsin should have an easier time tomorrow against Illinois--whom they beat twice already this year. But the Badgers are only playing for the tournament championship (and maybe a #2 seed in the NCAAs). The Illini are also playing just to get into the NCAAs--without the automatic berth that goes the conference tournament champion, their 16-19 record (assuming a loss tomorrow) will certainly not get them an at-large spot. But they are on a hot streak, having managed three upsets already in the tournament--they were seeded #10 coming in.

Another reason for concern about the Badgers in the final is the health of starting guard Trevon Hughes. He injured an ankle in the Michigan State game, and it looked bad enough to me that he is certainly questionable to play again just a day later.