Badgers Win 15th Straight » Brats & Beer

January 20, 2007
posted under: Badgers basketball

A very big win for the Wisconsin men’s basketball team today, defeating Illinois on the road 71-64. That makes 15 victories in a row for the #3 Badgers and one step closer to a run at the Big 10 title. Way to go, boys.

I was a little worried there when they seemed to let the Illini back in it late in the game, but some excellent shooting from the line and that great shot by Kam Taylor after the pileup with a minute to play helped save it down the stretch. Having watched them against Ohio State and given the way the Purdue game went this past week, I guess that’s just the nature of this team: Hang around and hang around, then pounce at the end.

The Badgers did look a little skittish at the start. They hardly attacked the basket much in the first half and pretty much played a game of responding to Illinois. I suppose that’s to be expected since Wisconsin hasn’t had the best of luck in Assembly Hall. But it was a solid, hard-fought road win that advances the Badgers to 5-0 in the conference and 19-1 overall.

By he way, did anyone else notice how often Bruce Weber was out on the floor during the action? Jeesh, he should have just put on a jersey and joined in the play. I’m pretty sure there are some rules, even in the NCAA, about too many men on the court, aren’t there?

So now Wisconsin plays host to 16-4 Michigan this Tuesday night at the Kohl Center, before two road games against Iowa and Indiana. This is maybe the toughest the Big 10 has looked in the past few seasons, so winning the conference is really going to mean something for the Badgers.

Brats & Beer roundup for the game:

Drinks: Beer – Bass, Negro Modelo, Kirin Ichiban (so international)
Snacks: Tillamook extra sharp cheddar cheese & crackers