March 25, 2003
GAME: No. 5 Wisconsin (24-7) vs. No. 1 Kentucky (31-3).
REGIONAL: Midwest, semifinals.
TIME: Thursday, 7:10 p.m. EST.
SITE: The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome; Minneapolis.
Slowing the pace against Kentucky wasn’t a successful tactic for the threeteams that attempted it this season. Considering almost nothing else has workedfor Wildcats’ opponents, Wisconsin might try it anyway.
Top-seeded Kentucky looks to keep rolling through the NCAA tournament whenit goes for its 26th straight victory in a Midwest Regional semifinal matchupwith the Badgers.
The Wildcats continued to look unstoppable Sunday night, routing Utah 74-54.Keith Bogans and Marquis Estill each scored 18 points as the Wildcats cruisedinto the round of 16 for the ninth time in 11 years.
Kentucky has won its first two games in the tournament by 51 points.
“Reaching the Sweet 16 doesn’t do it for me,” guard Cliff Hawkins said,knowing that’s the point where his team was knocked out the last two years. “Iwant more.”
The hottest team in college basketball has shown few signs of weakness sincean 18-point loss to Louisville on Dec. 28, its last defeat. The Wildcats havewon all but seven contests during their win streak by at least 10 points.
“Mentally, we couldn’t have been better focused,” coach Tubby Smith saidof his team’s tournament play so far. “I’m really proud of the maturitythey’ve shown and how well they’re playing together, how well they’re digestingthe game plan and executing the game plan.”
Now Smith has his team focused on preparing for a squad known for itsdeliberate offensive style and forcing opponents to play half-court games, anapproach that hasn’t yielded results so far in 2002-03.
LSU and South Carolina tried milking the clock on Kentucky during theWildcats’ perfect run through the Southeastern Conference regular season. Bothlost by double digits.
 |
“Reaching the Sweet 16 doesn’t do it for me. I want more.”
Guard Cliff Hawkins
|
Utah also tried it Sunday. While the Utes had some success at slowingKentucky’s offense in the second half, the Wildcats’ relentless defense keptUtah from making a comeback.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said that may not be the Badgers’ game plan, anyway.
“We’ve never held the ball yet,” Ryan said. “It’s just what you have todo to get a good shot. Nobody that knows us, that has seen us play, saysanything about us holding the ball.”
Wisconsin survived to reach the round of 16 thanks to junior guard FreddieOwens, who a hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 1 second to play to cap a laterally and lift the Badgers to a 61-60 victory over No. 13 Tulsa.
Wisconsin saved its season with a 16-2 run in the final 3:34, and is nowlooking forward to playing in front of what could be a pro-Badgers crowd at theMetrodome.
“We can’t wait to get there,” guard Kirk Penney said. “It’s close to homeand we’ll have a good fan base. We like Minneapolis.”
Wisconsin and Kentucky have only met three times, with the Wildcats holdinga 2-1 advantage. The teams haven’t played since Nov. 27, 1976, when the Badgerswere the first opponent at Rupp Arena and lost 72-64.
Thursday’s winner will face either third-seeded Marquette or No. 2Pittsburgh in the regional finals Saturday.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Wisconsin – F Alando Tucker, F Mike Wilkinson, G Penney,G Owens, G Devin Harris. Kentucky – F Erik Daniels, F Chuck Hayes, C Estill, GGerald Fitch, G Bogans.
TEAM LEADERS: Wisconsin – Penney, 16.1 ppg and 3.1 apg; Wilkinson, 6.9 rpg.Kentucky – Bogans, 16.0 ppg; Hayes, 6.8 rpg; Hawkins, 3.9 apg.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Wisconsin – At-large bid, Big Ten; beat No. 12 WeberState 81-74, first round; beat No. 13 Tulsa 61-60, second round. Kentucky -Automatic bid, Southeastern Conference tournament champion; beat No. 16 IUPUI95-64, first round; beat No. 9 Utah 74-54, second round.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT RECORD: Wisconsin – 12-7, 9 years. Kentucky – 93-39, 45years.
