Polzin: What I liked and didn't like from Wisconsin's win over Michigan State JIM POLZIN Mar 15, 2025 Mar 15, 2025 Updated Mar 20, 2025 × Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team will play for the Big Ten Tournament title for the second consecutive season.kAmr2? E96 q2586CD 3C:?8 9@>6 2 492>A:@?D9:A E9:D E:>6nk^AmkAm%96 }@] `g q2586CD H:== 86E E92E 492?46 27E6C k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^32D<6E32==^>6?^b\E9:?8D\E92E\DE@@5\@FE\7C@>\H:D4@?D:?D\>6?D\32D<6E32==D\3:8\E6?\D6>:7:?2=\H:?\@G6C\>:49:82?^2CE:4=60ehhb4hcg\_`34\``7_\gd`h\7b6db34_c_76]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm362E:?8 }@] f |:49:82? $E2E6 ff\fc :? 2 D6>:7:?2=k^2m $2EFC52J 27E6C?@@? 2E v2:?3C:586 u:6=59@FD6]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^bdfa7e7g\__6h\``7_\ge4h\37e__5b3e_5fQm!@=K:?i w@H (:D4@?D:? >6?VD 32D<6E32== AC@5F465 2? @776?D:G6 >2DE6CA:646 H:E9 V:?764E:@FDV D9@@E:?8k^2mk^Am People are also reading… Gateway shows graduate the way to reaching career and life goals Lake Geneva Oktoberfest to feature new events and activities 51-year-old athlete dies during Saturday’s half Ironman in Madison How did Aaron Rodgers do in his final season opener? T.J. Watt helped Tom Tiffany recounts harrowing plane emergency, swim to safety in Wausau Tom Tiffany's plane makes emergency lake landing after campaign event 3 takeaways from Wisconsin volleyball's loss against Texas Brewers outfielder 'couldn't be more thankful' with health, role Antique and classic boat show to be held at Abbey Resort Williams Bay Middle School student wins regatta title 52nd Street to close nightly in Kenosha starting Sept. 14 Lake Geneva approves five-year strategic action plan Chapel on the Hill Community Church to conduct rummage sale Homegrown setter finds ways to help Wisconsin volleyball despite limited role Brewers’ simple clinch celebration shows how expectations have changed kAmw6C6 2C6 D@>6 @7 >J E9@F89ED @? E96 82>6]k^Amk9am(92E x =:<65k^9amkAmqC@<6?\C64@C5 2=6CEi y@9? %@?;6 H2D >28?:7:46?E 282:?]k^Am kAm%96 D6?:@C 8F2C5 7:?:D965 H:E9 2 82>6\9:89 ba A@:?ED 27E6C 8@:?8 g @7 `d 7C@> E96 7:6=5 2?5 `a @7 `c 7C@> E96 7C66\E9C@H =:?6]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^c2ha6`54\__76\``7_\h3cf\a7da32gfh3`6QmyF?:@C 7@CH2C5 A=2JD 92C5 2?5 4@?EC:3FE6D VD@=:5[V ?66565 >:?FE6D 7@C (:D4@?D:? >6?VD 32D<6E32==k^2mk^Am kAm%92E >2<6D fe A@:?ED :? E9C66 q:8 %6? %@FC?2>6?E 82>6D 7@C k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^32D<6E32==^>6?^5J?2>:4\8F2C5\5F@\=625D\H:D4@?D:?\>6?D\32D<6E32==D\2==\3:8\E6?\9@?@C66D^2CE:4=60deb5f3b4\76ha\``67\h7ca\47cg7f`57cbg]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmE96 7:CDE\E62> p==\q:8 %6? A:4<k^2m]k^Am kAm%@?;6’D 36DE DEC6E49 42>6 H96? 96 D4@C65 ?:?6 A@:?ED 5FC:?8 2? ``\_ CF? E92E 96=A65 E96 q2586CD 2?DH6C 2? g\_ DFC86 3J E96 $A2CE2?D Waf\eX]k^AmkAm• y@9? q=24<H6== 5:5?’E 92G6 2 8C62E 82>6 @G6C2==]k^AmkAmqFE E96 D@A9@>@C6 8F2C5 >256 D@>6 9F86 A=2JD 5@H? E96 DEC6E49[ :?4=F5:?8 2 32D<6E 2E E96 C:> E@ 8:G6 (:D4@?D:? 2 fa\ef =625 H:E9 `i`` =67E 2?5 EH@ 7C66 E9C@HD @? E96 ?6IE A@DD6DD:@?]k^Am kAm• r2CE6C v:=>@C6 A=2J65 2 >2DD:G6 C@=6 :? E9:D H:?]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^6_62a2h4\__75\``7_\3h45\`763bgdd7h5hQmb E9:?8D E92E DE@@5 @FE 7C@> (:D4@?D:? >6?VD 32D<6E32==VD 5@>:?2?E G:4E@CJ @G6C &r{pk^2mk^Am kAm}@=2? (:?E6C DA6?E >F49 @7 E96 82>6 :? 7@F= EC@F3=6[ 3FE v:=>@C6 DE6AA65 :? 2?5 D4@C65 `_ A@:?ED E@ 8@ H:E9 7:G6 C63@F?5D 2?5 7:G6 2DD:DED]k^AmkAmvC62E E:>:?8 7C@> E96 7:7E9\J62C D6?:@C]k^Amk9am(92E x 5:5?’E =:<6k^9am kAmx7 E96C6’D @?6 AC@3=6> 2C62 E92E 4@?E:?F6D E@ D9@H FA — 2?5 4@F=5 36 E96 q2586CD’ 56>:D6 — :E’D E96:C :?23:=:EJ E@ DE2J :? 7C@?E @7 2EE24<:?8 A=2J6CD]k^AmkAm(:D4@?D:? 2==@H65 H2J E@@ >F49 5C:33=6 A6?6EC2E:@? :? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^32D<6E32==^>6?^b\E9:?8D\E92E\DE@@5\@FE\7C@>\H:D4@?D:?\>6?D\32D<6E32==D\E<\F4=2^2CE:4=606_62a2h4\__75\``7_\3h45\`763bgdd7h5h]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm2 BF2CE6C7:?2= H:? @G6C &r{pk^2m] p?5 :E 92AA6?65 282:? 282:?DE |:49:82? $E2E6]k^AmkAm%9:D @776?D6 :D 6=:E6] qFE E96 (:D4@?D:? 5676?D6 >:89E 36 E96 E9:?8 E92E <66AD E9:D E62> 7C@> >2<:?8 2 566A CF? :? E96 }rpp %@FC?2>6?E]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^53b2ggb4\__bb\``7_\h56f\b3e7h4d_a2f6Qmw@H E9:D D@A9@>@C6 H6?E 7C@> 2 BF6DE:@? >2C< E@ 2 DE2?5@FE :? (:D4@?D:? >6?VD 32D<6E32== H:?k^2mk^AmkAm• x’G6 925 6?@F89 z6:E9 z:>3=6[ E92E’D 7@C DFC6]k^Am kAmz:>3=6 92D @77:4:2E65 2== E9C66 @7 E96 q2586CD’ 82>6D :? x?5J] %92E D66>D =:<6 2 325 :562 E@ 92G6 D@>6@?6 562= H:E9 E96 D2>6 A=2J6CD 2?5 4@2496D E9C66 E:>6D :? 2 cg\9@FC DA2?[ 3FE E96C6 z:>3=6 H2D 282:? $2EFC52J]k^Am kAm%96 >2? DA6?5D E@@ >F49 E:>6 C6G:6H:?8 A=2JD] |2<6 2 42== 2?5 =:G6 H:E9 :Ei xE’D ?@E E92E 92C5]k^Am kAm%96 :C@?J :D E92E E96 @77:4:2=D 925 2? @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ 42== 2 8@2=E6?5:?8 @? |:49:82? $E2E6’D y256? p<:?D :? E96 7:CDE 92=7 27E6C 96 3=@4<65 y@9? q=24<H6==’D =2JFA 2?5 5:5?’E FD6 E96:C H9:DE=6D] %96J 62D:=J 4@F=5 92G6 >256 E96 42== @? 2 d_^d_ A=2J 2?5 C6G:6H65 :E =2E6C[ 3FE |C] ~G6C@77:4:2E:?8 564:565 E@ A=2J :? :? E9:D 42D6]k^Amk9am(92E :E >62?Dk^9am kAmp55 2?@E96C "F25 ` G:4E@CJ E@ (:D4@?D:?’D C6DF>6]k^AmkAm|@C6 :>A@CE2?E=J[ E96 q2586CD Wae\gX 2G6?865 2?@E96C C68F=2C\D62D@? =@DD 2?5 92D 2 492?46 E@ H:? 2 E:E=6 :7 :E 42? E2<6 42C6 @7 3FD:?6DD $F?52J]k^Am Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball takes on Michigan State in Big Ten Tourney semifinals Wisconsin mascot Bucky Badger performs during the first half of Saturday's game against Michigan State in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press Wisconsin mascot Bucky Badger performs during the first half of Saturday's game against Michigan State in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy, Associated Press Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Wisconsin men's basketball readies for Big Ten Tournament semifinal matchup Polzin: A lot of stink surrounds Moseley's departure as Wisconsin women's basketball coach Wisconsin said Moseley notified McIntosh on Friday that she was resigning after four seasons in Madison. Polzin: An inside look at this former Wisconsin women's basketball star's life as an NBA scout Tamara Moore attends 16 to 18 college games on average in a month. Life on the road suits a woman who lives and breathes basketball. Polzin: What I liked and didn't like from Wisconsin's win over Northwestern The Badgers advanced to face UCLA in the quarterfinals, which gives them a chance to avenge an earlier loss. Polzin: Why John Tonje returning to form was 'awesome to see' for Wisconsin men's basketball The Badgers' best player struggled for much of the first half, continuing a recent slump. By the end of the game, some encouraging signs had e… Polzin: What I liked and didn't like from Wisconsin's win over UCLA The Badgers earned another Quad 1 win and will face Michigan State in the semifinals. Polzin: How Wisconsin men's basketball produced an offensive masterpiece with 'infectious' shooting The Badgers credited unseflish play with helping them break out of a shooting slump and tie a Big Ten Tournament record for made 3-pointers in… Junior forward plays hard and contributes 'solid,' needed minutes for Wisconsin men's basketball Xavier Amos contributed eight points and three rebounds on Friday, but playing extended minutes when the Badgers needed to go small, he thrive… 3 things that stood out from Wisconsin men's basketball's dominant victory over UCLA The Badgers set a program record for made 3-pointers in a Big Ten Tournament game, matching the all-time mark set by Iowa in 2022, in their qu… Wisconsin men's basketball guard named national player of the year semifinalist The Badgers leading scorer, who transferred into the program this past offseason, was one of 10 semifinalists named for the prestigious award. How this sophomore went from a question mark to a standout in Wisconsin men's basketball win An injury scare in the regular-season finale threatened to keep the Badgers forward on the bench. He wasn't going to allow that to happen. 3 things that stood out from Wisconsin men's basketball's win against Northwestern After a brief slow start and some made-up points late, the fifth-seeded Badgers cruised in their Big Ten Tournament opener. Dynamic guard duo leads Wisconsin men's basketball's All-Big Ten honorees A Wisconsin graduate guard was a big winner in the Big Ten's postseason awards. Here are all the honorees for the Badgers. How a 'vocal' Wisconsin men's basketball reserve became one of Big Ten's best 6th men Kamari McGee suffered a late-season injury last year that, among other factors, derailed the Badgers' momentum. Since he's returned, he hasn't… 3 things that stood out from Wisconsin's men's basketball's Big Ten semifinal win over Michigan State The Badgers made some impressive plays in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals Saturday to secure a trip to the title game by the tips of their fingers. Polzin: Team Technical? Team Gravel? Just call this Wisconsin men’s basketball squad winners The Badgers believe they're the best team in the Big Ten. An impressive victory over Michigan State moved them one win away from having the tr… What to know about Wisconsin men's basketball's Big Ten Tournament final opponent, Michigan The Wolverines and Badgers both advanced to the Big Ten Tournament title game in dramatic fashion. Here's what to know about Sunday's contest. How to watch, stream, listen to Wisconsin men's basketball vs. Michigan in Big Ten title game How to tune in as the Badgers compete in the Big Ten Tournament title game for the second successive season. 3 things that stood out from Wisconsin men's basketball's Big Ten final loss to Michigan The Badgers struggled to finish in the conference championship game against one of the best close-game teams in the Big Ten this season. Wisconsin men's basketball misses out on Milwaukee, gets sent west to play Montana in NCAA Tournament After falling to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament title game, the Badgers learned Sunday where they'll be headed to kick off NCAA Tournament… Can Wisconsin cut down the nets in March Madness? Here's what the stats say The current Badgers match up with the past 15 NCAA national champions, and fall short of others. Does Wisconsin have the makeup of a title winner? 3 things that stood out from No. 3 Wisconsin men's basketball's NCAA Tournament win against No. 14 Montana The Badgers overcame an early shooting run from the Grizzlies and coasted to a first-round victory in Denver. Junior forward takes advice to 'get better,' creating first March Madness moment Xavier Amos has scored double-digit points three times this season. Better play all around can put him in more positions to be an imposing nin…
Polzin: A lot of stink surrounds Moseley's departure as Wisconsin women's basketball coach Wisconsin said Moseley notified McIntosh on Friday that she was resigning after four seasons in Madison.
Polzin: An inside look at this former Wisconsin women's basketball star's life as an NBA scout Tamara Moore attends 16 to 18 college games on average in a month. Life on the road suits a woman who lives and breathes basketball.
Polzin: What I liked and didn't like from Wisconsin's win over Northwestern The Badgers advanced to face UCLA in the quarterfinals, which gives them a chance to avenge an earlier loss.
Polzin: Why John Tonje returning to form was 'awesome to see' for Wisconsin men's basketball The Badgers' best player struggled for much of the first half, continuing a recent slump. By the end of the game, some encouraging signs had e…
Polzin: What I liked and didn't like from Wisconsin's win over UCLA The Badgers earned another Quad 1 win and will face Michigan State in the semifinals.
Polzin: How Wisconsin men's basketball produced an offensive masterpiece with 'infectious' shooting The Badgers credited unseflish play with helping them break out of a shooting slump and tie a Big Ten Tournament record for made 3-pointers in…
Junior forward plays hard and contributes 'solid,' needed minutes for Wisconsin men's basketball Xavier Amos contributed eight points and three rebounds on Friday, but playing extended minutes when the Badgers needed to go small, he thrive…
3 things that stood out from Wisconsin men's basketball's dominant victory over UCLA The Badgers set a program record for made 3-pointers in a Big Ten Tournament game, matching the all-time mark set by Iowa in 2022, in their qu…
Wisconsin men's basketball guard named national player of the year semifinalist The Badgers leading scorer, who transferred into the program this past offseason, was one of 10 semifinalists named for the prestigious award.Â
How this sophomore went from a question mark to a standout in Wisconsin men's basketball win An injury scare in the regular-season finale threatened to keep the Badgers forward on the bench. He wasn't going to allow that to happen.
3 things that stood out from Wisconsin men's basketball's win against Northwestern After a brief slow start and some made-up points late, the fifth-seeded Badgers cruised in their Big Ten Tournament opener.
Dynamic guard duo leads Wisconsin men's basketball's All-Big Ten honorees A Wisconsin graduate guard was a big winner in the Big Ten's postseason awards. Here are all the honorees for the Badgers.
How a 'vocal' Wisconsin men's basketball reserve became one of Big Ten's best 6th men Kamari McGee suffered a late-season injury last year that, among other factors, derailed the Badgers' momentum. Since he's returned, he hasn't…
3 things that stood out from Wisconsin's men's basketball's Big Ten semifinal win over Michigan State The Badgers made some impressive plays in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals Saturday to secure a trip to the title game by the tips of their fingers.Â
Polzin: Team Technical? Team Gravel? Just call this Wisconsin men’s basketball squad winners The Badgers believe they're the best team in the Big Ten. An impressive victory over Michigan State moved them one win away from having the tr…
What to know about Wisconsin men's basketball's Big Ten Tournament final opponent, Michigan The Wolverines and Badgers both advanced to the Big Ten Tournament title game in dramatic fashion. Here's what to know about Sunday's contest.
How to watch, stream, listen to Wisconsin men's basketball vs. Michigan in Big Ten title game How to tune in as the Badgers compete in the Big Ten Tournament title game for the second successive season.
3 things that stood out from Wisconsin men's basketball's Big Ten final loss to Michigan The Badgers struggled to finish in the conference championship game against one of the best close-game teams in the Big Ten this season.
Wisconsin men's basketball misses out on Milwaukee, gets sent west to play Montana in NCAA Tournament After falling to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament title game, the Badgers learned Sunday where they'll be headed to kick off NCAA Tournament…
Can Wisconsin cut down the nets in March Madness? Here's what the stats say The current Badgers match up with the past 15 NCAA national champions, and fall short of others. Does Wisconsin have the makeup of a title winner?
3 things that stood out from No. 3 Wisconsin men's basketball's NCAA Tournament win against No. 14 Montana The Badgers overcame an early shooting run from the Grizzlies and coasted to a first-round victory in Denver.
Junior forward takes advice to 'get better,' creating first March Madness moment Xavier Amos has scored double-digit points three times this season. Better play all around can put him in more positions to be an imposing nin…
