(Cue Harry from "Dumb and Dumber")"Just when you thought the Big Ten couldn't get any dumber, they go and do something like that...
And totally redeem themselves!"
Wisconsin's 73-69 victory over Duke on Wednesday night put the finishing touches on the Big Ten's first EVER Big Ten/ACC Challenge victory -- along with a little help from the Buckeyes against Florida State and Illinois' miraculous 23-point comeback against Clemson.
Four gold stars to the Badgers' Trevon Hughes and the Buckeyes' Evan Turner for their performances in the Challenge -- both proved that they're not only two of the best players in the conference, but in the nation as well. And let's not overlook the performance by Illini freshman Brandon Paul -- Dickie V. should be wetting his Depends over this Diaper Dandy.
All in all, this wasn't just a victory for the Big Ten, it was a statement. For Big Ten fans, the victory provided the redemption and recognition they've been longing for against the dreaded ACC, at least for the time being. For Wisconsin fans, it was proof that maybe it's not a "down year" for the Badgers after all. And for college basketball fans all over, it was a chance to witness one of the greatest features in all of sports...storming the floor.
Happy Storming, Big Ten fans. You deserve it.
*11 years
Actually that streak is 10 years. That's seventh-longest in the nation. Maybe that's where you got that number.
Arizona 25 years - 1985..2009
Kansas 20 years - 1990..2009
Duke 14 years - 1996..2009
Michigan State 12 years - 1998..2009
Gonzaga 11 years - 1999..2009
Texas 11 years - 1999..2009
Wisconsin 11 years - 1999..2009
Wisconsin has been to the NCAA tournament every year over the past 7 years, why was it the conventional wisdom that they would somehow have a "down" year. Instead of just looking at players to determine what kind of year they are going to have, there are some great coaches, like Bo Ryan, that will get his team ready each and every year for a competitive season. A "down" year for Bo Ryan was last year, and he still made the NCAA field and beat a good Florida State team.