Wisconsin Badgers’ Mike Bruesewitz (C) celebrates as students rushed the court after they beat undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes in their NCAA basketball game in Madison, Wisconsin, February 12, 2011. REUTERS/Darren Hauck (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)
Things were looking awfully grim for the Badgers when they were trailing by 15 points with 13:16 to play in the second half. But over the next three-and-a-half minutes, Wisconsin went on a 15-0 run to tie the game at 47-47 with 9:49 to play. The run featured three three-pointers, two by Jordan Taylor and one by Josh Gasser (which was assisted by Taylor).
Mike Bruesewitz (a.k.a. “Carrot Top,” per Dick Vitale) was big off the bench, scoring 10 points (two threes, a putback and two free throws) over the final 11 minutes of the game. His biggest shot came with 0:31 remaining and the Badgers nursing a two-point lead. He caught the ball at the top of the key, shot faked, then drained the open three to give Wisconsin a five-point lead.
Wisconsin’s shooting down the stretch was incredible. They went 7-for-11 from three-point range and 8-of-11 from the free throw line in the final 12 minutes.
Taylor posted 27 points and seven assists, and went 5-of-8 from long range. Jon Leuer and Bruesewitz each added 12 points for Wisconsin. William Buford led the Buckeyes with 21 points, while Jared Sullinger added 19 points and 12 rebounds.
OSU head coach Thad Motta is now 0-6 at the Kohl Center in his career. With the win, the Badgers stay undefeated at home. Coincidentally, it was also Wisconsin that knocked off the top-ranked Ohio State football team late last year.
Do I smell a rivalry brewing? Wisconsin is certainly in a better position than Michigan in both basketball and football to battle Ohio State for supremacy in the Big Ten/Eleven/Twelve.
