If the Wisconsin Badgers are going to make the NCAA Tournament, they will need a big assist from its selection committee after their 65-57 loss to Ohio State.
The Badgers simply dug themselves too deep of a hole in the first half of their opening-round game at the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center. They were down 36-18 at the break and saw the advantage grow to over 20 points in the second half before making a game of it late. The Badgers outscored the Buckeyes 39-29 in the second half.
Tyler Wahl led the Badgers with 19 points while Connor Essegian chipped in 11 points. Sean McNeil led a trio of Buckeyes in double figures with 17 points. While the Buckeyes advance to Thursday's matinee against Iowa, the Badgers will have to play the waiting game. Head coach Greg Gard told reporters he thought they had the resume to possibly get into the Big Dance. The experts are missed with some saying they are among the first teams out of tournament while others believe they could battle a team in the play-in games held in Dayton.
For Wisconsin collegiate basketball fans, you can place your hope in Marquette, who open their Big East Tournament slate with an 11 a.m. matchup against St. John's as the top seed.
