It’s March Sadness
NEW YORK – The effort was commendable.
The execution, at times, was outstanding.
But too many missed free throws late in the game, too many offensive rebounds surrendered during key moments and too many playmakers wearing Michigan State uniforms led to the expected result Friday at Madison Square Garden.
The top-seeded Spartans withstood the best shot from ninth-seeded UW and pulled away late for a 63-60 victory in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament.
“Obviously a tough locker room,” said UW coach Greg Gard, whose team
went 5-3 down the stretch, with two of the losses to the Spartans. “But I couldn’t be more proud of how they’ve grown together. I told them even before today ... there’s not a more improved team in the league.
“I don’t know across the country if there’s a team that’s come as far as this group has with what they’ve had to overcome and work through and how they’ve grown.”
The loss ensured UW’s NCAA Tournament streak is over.
After qualifying for the NCAAs 19 consecutive seasons, March Madness finally turned into March Sadness for UW.
“We were right there,” said guard Brevin Pritzl, who hit just 1 of 7 shots and finished with three points, four rebounds and one steal. “That is twice we played the No. 2 team – arguably the No. 1 team in the country – and played them tough.”
The Badgers (15-18) do not expect to receive a berth in the National Invitation Tournament and thus likely played their final game of the season.
Ethan Happ, just 13 of 36 in the two regular-season losses to the Spartans, hit 10 of 15 shots and led UW with 22 points Friday. However, he missed the front end of the bonus with 26.8 seconds left and UW trailing by two points and was limited to 26 minutes because of foul trouble.
Happ plans to test the NBA waters but made it clear if he isn’t projected to be taken in the first round he will be back at UW. He shot down reports he is considering leaving UW as a graduate transfer.
Guards Brad Davison and Khalil Iverson added 10 points apiece. Davison, who scored 30 points in the regular-season finale against the Spartans, hit just 2 of 8 three-pointers and 4 of 14 shots overall.
Davison got the last shot for UW but his contested three-pointer fell well short at the buzzer.
The play, after a timeout with 19.2 seconds left, was designed for a threepointer for Aleem Ford (3 of 3 on threepointers, nine points) or a dump-down to Happ for a quick two.
Michigan State surprised UW by switching on all screens.
“They took away both of our options,” Davison said. “I thought I was going to have Ethan on the slip so I picked up my dribble. And he wasn’t open so I had to throw it quick and get it back.
“By the time I got it back, there wasn’t a whole lot of time left. So I had to get the best shot possible. Credit them for a good adjustment but I’ve got to make a play at that point.”
Iverson missed two free throws in the final three minutes. One day after hitting 20 of 24 free throws in a victory over Maryland, UW made just 2 of 6 free throws.
“I thought they were going in,” said Iverson, 0 of 2 from the line. “I felt confident.”
Sophomore guard Cassius Winston buried 6 of 6 three-pointers in Michigan State’s five-point victory over UW in the teams’ regular-season finale. He hit just 1 of 7 attempts Friday but still finished with 17 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Miles Bridges finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. Nick Ward added eight points and four rebounds.
“Cassius was unbelievable the first half,” said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, whose team advanced to the semifinals. “Miles played really well the second half. And those guys brought us back in it.”
The game was ultimately decided on the final possession, but Michigan State’s defense was outstanding.
“The biggest thing that will help us going into next year is to get older and healthier,” Gard said, referring to season-ending injuries suffered in December by guards D’Mitrik Trice and Kobe King.