Wisconsin Badgers were on a quest to get to their third Final Four in four years. It didn’t look good for perennial Big Ten power as they trailed by 12 points in the final five minutes of the game. But as Wisconsin has done many times before they came back with a vengeance as Badgers refused to go quietly in the night forcing overtime with a big Zak Showalter shot. In overtime, Wisconsin looked like the better team until Gators realized they were gassed and attacked the rim. Badgers were up two thanks to two big Nigel Hayes missed free throws then the heartbreak happened with Chris Chiozza hitting the buzzer-beater to give Florida the stunning win.

FLORIDA WINS ON A BUZZER-BEATER! #Sweet16 pic.twitter.com/t8ooUMf7Gy

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 25, 2017

Many questions after Chiozza’s shot
There was a great deal of hand-wringing after the game about what happened in the final moments of the game. First, people said Hayes shouldn’t have made the final free throw. That’s such a hard thing to tell a player, and so much can happen in that situation. There’s no guarantee that the same thing doesn’t happen. Now, Ethan Happ refusing to step out on the player might be more of an issue. Why didn’t he will be a question that many will wonder all summer. My best guess is the foul he had on a three in the second stuck in his head and worried about fouling Chiozza which still might be okay. No guarantee he makes all three, and yes, they lose Happ for double-overtime if two go in although it’s still worth the risk.

Free throws were the death of this team
Wisconsin missed 10 free throws in this game going 66 percent from the line. That’s not going to win many basketball games. They missed a few in overtime that could have extended the lead against Florida. Wisconsin had control, and if they were a little better from the line, the buzzer beater may not have happened. Happ needs to improve from the line for next season as he will be a focal point of the team.

WE ARE TIED! #Sweet16 pic.twitter.com/bevXrEVRAh

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 25, 2017

Zak Showalter’s shot should still be remembered.
Let’s not forget what an incredible shot Showalter made earlier in this game. I mean good lord that was a shot. A Full runner where he made sure his foot was not over the line is incredible. Bronson Koenig injured his hamstring and didn’t have the lift to be the big shotmaker like we’ve seen many times before. Showie became the dude and hit Aaron Rodgers with the belt celebration afterwards. That’ll be a one shining moment clip for certain.

Best Badgers class ever
The class of Nigel Hayes, Bronson Koenig, Showalter and Vitto Brown is the best Wisconsin has ever seen. They won 13 tournament games. Two Final Fours, one National Championship game and a couple Big Ten titles as well. It’s unbelievable, and Bo Ryan deserves a ton of credit along with Greg Gard of course. If you remember four years ago, people questioned whether Ryan could get a team to the Final Four and he did it twice taking program to a new level. Gard will carry it on. They’ll be a very young team next season led by Ethan Happ. It might be another one that comes on strong in March.

Players of the Game: Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin) Canyon Berry (Florida) – Sure, Chiozza hit the shot and KeVaughn Allen had 35 points but Berry flipped the overtime period to give Florida a chance.

Next up: Wisconsin waits til next season. As mentioned, they lose a great deal from this year’s class. I don’t think anyone expects Happ to leave early. Badgers need to see development from their sophomore class led by Khalil Iverson. They have some talent there that could really be enhanced next season.

Charlie.