The Big Ten tournament championship game never disappoints.
Wisconsin was seeking a top seed and Michigan State was looking to climb up the seedings in an overtime thriller. College basketball won in the final minutes before the announcement of the NCAA tournament pairings.
The Badgers were looking for the No. 1 seed they deserved, a seed which would allow them to avoid being the second seed in the same region as Kentucky. With the win on Sunday, they gave the committee reason to avoid just that.
In addition, Frank Kaminsky proved why he is one of the few favorites to win National Player of the Year. With the Badgers in dire straits and down by 11, Kaminsky took over. Prior to this point, Kaminsky had only 11 points on 12 shots and was simply pedestrian. However, big time players step up in big time games, and Kaminsky did just that. He ended up with 19 points, meaning that he scored eight points on four shots after that stage in the game.
Bronson Koenig has simply been huge for the Badgers as well. When Koenig was forced to step up due to injury, he did so. Koenig has been under control all season, which was true on Sunday as well, as he added 18 points and nine assists. For the game, the Koenig-led offense only had seven turnovers.
The progress of Nigel Hayes has been important for the Badgers inside. He has been a valuable running mate for Kaminsky inside and provided needed toughness.
One question that Wisconsin has to face is how it was handled in the paint most of the day by Michigan State, a rather small team. Two reasons that most think the Badgers are the best competition to beat Kentucky are their experience and their size. One was shown in this comeback win; the other raises some questions going forward.
The Badgers don’t really have a rim protector. In addition, they were outrebounded 32-23 by the undersized Spartans. If you’re matching Michigan State’s size up against Kentucky’s, the front court of the Spartans are basically the Wildcats’ two guards. The rebounding and post defense have to improve soon if the Badgers want any shot to stop Kentucky’s undefeated bid.
On the other bench, there is no doubt about one thing: one should no longer, ever have any questions that Michigan State will be there and a contender at the end of the season. Tom Izzo knows March, just like Bo knows… um… everything.
This is the exact same Sparty that lost to Texas Southern at home in the non-conference schedule. This is also the same Michigan State that has been undersized most of the season and was sitting on the bubble about a month ago. What Michigan State lacks in size and overall talent, the Spartans possess in other areas — this team is blessed with smart, experienced and fundamentally strong players. Whatever seed the Spartans get, they will certainly have their opponents shaking with fear.
This month, Michigan State has only two losses, both to the Badgers. It is clear that Michigan State is doing what it annually does: play its best basketball at the end of the season. Take notes, Tom Crean.
While the selection show now over, one thing is for certain: both of the teams which delivered a magnificant Big Ten final are ready to make a run, starting this upcoming week.
