CHICAGO (WDRB) – Some things are forever. Diamonds. Rising
taxes. Traffic on Dan Ryan. And Wisconsin beating Indiana in basketball.
In a year when the Hoosiers won the Big Ten regular-season
title outright, they won't win the Big Ten Tournament. Wisconsin made that
happen, defeating Indiana, 68-56, in the semifinals at the United Center
Saturday.
Make it down as Wisconsin's 12th consecutive
victory over Indiana as well as the second Badgers' win over IU this season.
The Badgers are the only Big Ten team that Indiana failed to defeat this
season. It was also Indiana's only loss by double figures.
Credit Wisconsin's trademark defense. Indiana failed to
shoot 40 percent (38.2) and made only five baskets in the final 12 minutes.
By losing in the semifinals, Indiana opened the question
about their NCAA Tournament seeding. The Hoosiers figure to remain a Number One
seed, but the loss might bump them out of the Midwest Regional in Indianapolis.
If Louisville defeats Syracuse in the Big East final Saturday night, the
Cardinals will be in position to replace them Indy, instead of a possible trip
to Dallas.
THREE-POINT STORY: Making three points had been an issue for
Indiana against Wisconsin. The Hoosiers had failed to make more than three in a
game the last three times the teams had played.
That changed Saturday – briefly. Tom Crean's team made four
threes in the first half. But the problem returned in the second half when IU
made only one of nine three-pointers.
BO KNOWS – Bo Ryan has been right there with Tom Izzo of
Michigan State as the best coach in the Big Ten for the last decade. The
reason? His team is able to impose its will.
Wisconsin is rarely going to be in a hurry and it showed
early in the second half. The Badgers ran at least 28 seconds off the clock on
three of their first four possession. That resulted in three baskets and two
Indiana fouls.
RETURN OF REMY – Former Eastern High School star Remy Abell
has endured a challenging sophomore season. He's averaged only 4 points per
game and had made only two three-point shots in Big Ten play.
Abell looks to be ready to launch again. He made a
three-point shot against Illinois in the quarter-finals Friday and then made
another in the first half against Wisconsin. Crean went to Abell early in the
first half of both games because he needs another ball-handler and defender in
the backcourt. Abell gives IU more size and bulk than starters Jordan Hulls and
Yogi Ferrell. Abell finished with six points.
RED REIGNS – Red was the dominant color in the United Center
Saturday. It was easy to spot the Michigan State fans in their trademark green
because the three other semifinals – Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio State – all
wear red.
For the third consecutive day, the Big Ten sold standing
room tickets for the event
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Wisconsin defeated Indiana for the 12th straight time by winning in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament Saturday.
