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[ Thursday, Feb. 23, 1995 ]
Badgers struggling through season under young coach
By ROB AMEN
Collegian Sports Writer
Entering this season, speculators thought Wisconsin had a legitimate shot to contend for the Big Ten men's basketball title. And after qualifying for the NCAA tournament last season for the first time since 1947, the Badgers' chances looked even better.
But Wisconsin (12-9, 6-6 Big Ten as of early this week) has fallen on tough times this season. In the offseason, Coach Stu Jackson left to become the general manager of the NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies -- leaving the job to Stan Van Gundy.
So far this year, Van Gundy -- the youngest coach in the conference -- has not received the productivity from the players that Jackson did, leaving the Badgers alone in seventh place in the conference.
Moreover, All-Big Ten and All-American candidate Michael Finley's shooting has been inconsistent, while center Rashard Griffith -- along with the rest of the players -- has been a huge underachiever.
But Van Gundy said possibly the biggest problem his team has to combat is its frame of mind.
"This is a thing we just got to overcome in our program right now and that is this whole mentality of being the underdog," Van Gundy said. "That's something we got to get out of our guys to take a step forward."
But Purdue Coach Gene Keady wasn't so quick to write off Wisconsin.
"It's certainly a team that has a chance to go to the NCAA (tournament)," he said.
Big Ten Teaser
Name the school that hosted the first NCAA tournament championship game. Bonus points for correctly guessing the year it was held and the teams competing (answer below).
Not so Wild(cats)
With parity supposedly running rampant in the Big Ten, one thing that hasn't changed is Northwestern's position -- the conference basement. Despite tying Iowa for last place in the conference last year, the Wildcats earned a postseason NIT bid with a 15-14 record.
But this season, Coach Ricky Byrdsong's group (5-17, 1-12 before last night) has sputtered. Its lone conference victory came over hapless Ohio State, and Northwestern may not win another game the rest of the season.
Game of the Week
Illinois at Michigan (2 p.m. Sunday). After starting the Big Ten season 4-0, the Fighting Illini have struggled to a 7-5 mark in the conference prior to last night. Michigan, despite struggling most of the season and dropping a heartbreaker to Michigan State Tuesday, has played relatively well in the conference. Both teams need a win to better their chances for an NCAA tournament berth.
Quiz Answer
Northwestern hosted the inaugural NCAA tournament championship game in 1939 at its Patten Gym. Oregon beat Ohio State, 46-33.
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Created: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:14:47 PM -4