Wisconsin has always been a tough match-up, even at Assembly Hall, and so far this season five of the previous seven Hoosier conference victories had been due to holding their opposition to 60-points or less. Sixty usually rules, but rules are made to be broken and it finally happened to this Mike Woodson coached team. The Cream and Crimson got to sixty first at the 6:13 mark, but it took almost eight minutes to get there after building a lead of seven points, 50-43. This ten-point span from 50 to 60 often determines the outcome of the game and usually a struggle for fans like me to watch. It’s what I call “ugly time” when the offense struggles and the defense sputters. This game was no exception, as the #15 Badgers crawled back to tie the game at 56 on more Brad Davidson free throws. 

Even though the Hoosiers then responded with the four points they needed to hit the magic goal of 60, Wisconsin had packed the middle, forcing IU to make outside shots. I was not comfortable despite a 65-61 lead on a Parker Stewart trey. It seemed like the Badgers had the momentum, as Johnny Davis took total control of the game, defying the “Rule of 60.” The IU lead was gone at the one-minute mark after he hit two jumpers and was fouled, making four free throws down the stretch. He accounted for the final thirteen-points of the 74-69 outcome. Wisconsin prevailed for the 23th time in the last 26 games, despite 30-points, 8-rebounds, and 6-assists from Trayce Jackson Davis. It means four straight BIG losses for the Hoosiers and sadly familiar shaky prospects of making the NCAA Tournament. Rules are made to be broken and Johnny Davis broke our backs.