Badgers not defined by loss
The Wisconsin Badgers suffered their fourth loss of the season at the hands of the Duke Blue Devils. More painful than any of the other three, the Badgers watched a national championship slip through their fingers. Struck by the intensity of the moment, the loss left Wisconsin players, coaches, and fans devastated.
Everything felt so final on Monday. It was the last time that those players would be together on the court. It was the last time that some of those players would put on a Wisconsin uniform. It was the end of the era. Yet, the legacy left behind by these Badgers will not be forgotten. The memories of this season will not fade. Wisconsin is not defined by this loss. They are so much more than the heartbreak that followed Monday’s game.
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Here are five things that defined the Badgers 2014-2015 season.
1.) True Team Dynamic
Always playing together as team, and not for individual merit, the Wisconsin Badgers had a unique team dynamic. These players were not playing college basketball to earn a draft pick, rather they were trying to earn a championship. They wanted to succeed together. It was never about stats or highlights on SportsCenter, it was about winning as a team.
It didn’t matter that winning sometimes involved sharing the ball and making individual sacrifices, the Badgers thrived on the success of their teammates. It was quite clear that these guys had a strong bond. While it was noticeable during the season, it became even more apparent in the aftermath of Monday’s loss.
Frank Kaminsky emphasized this bond with the comments he made during the press conference.
“It’s hard to say anything. These guys are my family,” Kaminsky said. “I mean that literally. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye.”
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) drives against Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men
2.) Tremendous Regular Season
Before the NCAA tournament even began, the Badgers were making their mark on history. They had the most wins in program history. They were Big Ten champions and Big Ten tournament champions. They earned the Badgers their first ever No. 1 seed. They were champions before the NCAA tournament began, and they left a lasting impression on the program with their regular season success.
3.) March Madness Run
The road to the national championship was a difficult one for the Wisconsin Badgers. Playing North Carolina in the Sweet 16, Arizona in the Elite Eight, and Kentucky in the Final Four, the Badgers faced a slew of formidable opponents. Taking down some of the top programs in the country, the Badgers proved that they belonged in the national championship.
While every victory was important for the Badgers, perhaps none was sweeter than the one against Kentucky. The Badgers were able to accomplish something that every other team failed to do this season: they beat the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats. After losing on a last-second three-point shot the previous season, the Badgers came out and defeated Kentucky to advance to a national championship.
Losing to Duke may still be lingering in the minds of Wisconsin fans, but that will soon be replaced by the instant classic against Kentucky. The championship loss will always be a part of March 2015, but Wisconsin’s wins during the tournament will always ignite instant pride in a Badger fan.
4.) Impact on the State of Wisconsin
Prior to Monday’s game the Wisconsin Badgers had not appeared in a national championship since 1941. That’s a 74-year drought that this team snapped. It’s been awhile since Badger basketball experienced such substantial success, and the fans will not soon forget this ride.
This is the kind of season that people will remember for the rest of their lives. Stories about Sam Dekker‘s cold blooded three pointer and beautiful stenographers will be passed down to the next generation. Kids who were previously unsure of their athletic abilities are now shooting basketballs and wearing red hoping to emulate the success of their Badger idols. The Badgers’ season affected Wisconsin residents in ways that the Badger players do not yet realize.
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The sting of the loss will soon fade, but the impact of this Badger season for Wisconsin will not.
5.) Smiles and Laughter
Whether it was testing a stenographer with ridiculous words , arguing about video games, or playing media for a day at Kaminsky’s press conference, this Wisconsin team kept fans laughing. Acting like typical college guys, the Badgers refused to let the pressure get to them. They remained true to themselves and provided us all with a little comic relief.
The Wisconsin Badgers were fun. They made America fall in love with them, something that became apparent after a poll revealed that every state except Minnesota and Kentucky were rooting for a Badger win against the Wildcats. Their boundless joy and energy put a smile across the face of every fan, and that is something that will be ingrained in the heart of every Badger.
The Badgers made us believe. They showed us what it means to be a team, they went where no Badger team has gone before, they put on an incredible show in the month of March, they gave Wisconsin more memories than anyone could have ever imagined, and they did it all while remaining true to their goofy selves. The Wisconsin Badgers took fans on the ride of a lifetime, and that is what defined this team.