CIMPLE – A Curious Introvert's Musings & Photos about Life and Enjoyment

WISCONSIN HIGHLIGHTS/PIVOTAL PLAYS

WARNING:  FAIR AND BALANCED BLOGGING HAS GONE OUT THE WINDOW AND MY WISCONSIN (BIG TEN CONFERENCE) BIAS WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE FOLLOWING BLOG.

WISCONSIN DEFEATS ARIZONA 85-78

• Two Big Ten Conference teams in the Elite 8 (Wisconsin, MSU)
• I will be showing my Big Ten Conference bias by only giving the Wisconsin highlights/pivotal plays (nothing personal against Arizona).
• This was Wisconsin’s 5th Elite 8.
• 2nd Consecutive Elite 8 for Wisconsin, coached by Bo Ryan.
• Rematch of last year’s Elite 8 Regional Final between #2 Wisconsin and #1 Arizona, that resulted in an overtime win by Wisconsin (64-63)
• Wisconsin leads the nation in committing the least amount of fouls.
• Wisconsin has the most efficient offense in college basketball.
• Great to see Aaron Rodgers in the stands again supporting his team and high-fiving fans.
• Wisconsin had the lead in the 1st half until three minutes remaining and trailed 33-30 at halftime.
• Frank Kaminsky – 13 points in the 1st half.
• Frank Kaminsky – 31st straight game with 10+ points.
• Kaminsky starts the 2nd half with a 3-pointer.
• Sam Dekker adds another 3-pointer in the next offensive series for a 36-34 Wisconsin lead.
• Wisconsin starts the 2nd half with an 11-1 run (similar to the start of the game).
• Kaminsky hits a reverse layup with 10:48 left to increase the lead to 57-48, their biggest lead of the night.
• Hayes hit two big 3-pointers and the second results in a 60-51 lead with a little over nine minutes remaining.
• Kaminsky has 27 points and Wisconsin holds a 66-55 lead with seven minutes remaining.
• Josh Gasser hits a 3-pointer with 5:04 remaining to give Wisconsin a 70-59 lead.
• Sam Dekker fouled on a layup with 3:36 remaining and, after making the foul shot, Wisconsin has a 74-64 lead.
• 4th foul on Kaminsky with 3:19 remaining and he goes to the bench.
• Dekker scores a 3-pointer and Wisconsin leads 79-73 with 1:30 remaining.
• Dekker fouled with a minute remaining and makes both free-throws for an 81-73 Wisconsin lead.
• Sam Dekker, as the shot clock is running down, hits a 3-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to seal the win for Wisconsin.
• #1 Wisconsin defeats #2 Arizona 85-78 to advance to the Final Four the 2nd consecutive year.
• Sam Dekker – Career-High 27 points (5-6 3pt.)
• Frank Kaminsky – 29 points
• Josh Gasser – 10 points
• Nigel Hayes – 8 points
• Bronson Koenig – 6 points
• This will be the fourth Final Four for Wisconsin.
• Wisconsin, a Big Ten team, is the first team to reach the Final Four.
• Kaminsky’s celebration dance after the game was very entertaining.

WARNING:  FAIR AND BALANCED REPORTING HAS GONE OUT THE WINDOW AND MY NOTRE DAME BIAS WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE FOLLOWING BLOG.

NOTRE DAME LOSES TO KENTUCKY 68-66

• The Notre Dame portion of the blog was supposed to look like Wisconsin’s, but after the last second miss by Jerian Grant to win the game, I must have hit the delete button while I was yelling and all of my wonderful highlights were wiped out (Gabby is very suspicious about the fact that they were deleted by accident).  Gabby let me know that after Notre Dame’s great tournament run, I had to write something and not be unreasonable.  I wondered if it was unreasonable to write:  NOTRE DAME LOST AND I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.  Gabby told me to pull it together and following is a brief summary of a wonderful game lost in the closing seconds.
• Notre Dame, in its first Elite 8 since 1979, played a spectacular game, but in the last-minute of play they were unable to score on two possessions and Kentucky made two free-throws with 6 seconds remaining to beat Notre Dame 68-66.  Unbelievable plays throughout the game by Zach Auguste who finished the game with 20 points and 9 rebounds.  Pat Connaughton, in his last game for Notre Dame, had 8 points and 9 rebounds.  Jerian Grant added 15 points and 6 assists and Steve Vasturia finished the game with 16 points.  It was an excellent tournament by Coach Brey and the Notre Dame players and I am still stunned that it is over.