Busting Brackets
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Wisconsin Basketball: A look at the Badgers’ success this century

By Lukas Harkins

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players run on the court after the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Wisconsin won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players run on the court after the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Wisconsin won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; The Kohl Center is the home of the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team. The image was taken before the game with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Wisconsin defeated Penn State 82-55. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; The Kohl Center is the home of the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team. The image was taken before the game with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Wisconsin defeated Penn State 82-55. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

2004 – 2007: Alando Tucker takes control of Madison

2004-2005: 25-9 (11-5 Big Ten), Elite Eight

Losing Devin Harris obviously hurt the Badgers, but star player Alando Tucker returned from the injury that knocked him out of the ’03-04 season. He paired up with Mike Wilkinson to make the Badgers a competitor in the Big Ten. Both players averaged in double figures (15.2 for Tucker, 14.3 for Wilkinson) on a team that allowed only 60.2 points per game. They were once again a six seed but did not face a single-digit seed (went through an 11, 14, and 10-seed) until they reached the Elite Eight. They were unable to get past North Carolina to get back to the Final Four, however, as they fell to the eventual National Champion Tar Heels led by a squad with five scorers in double figures (Sean May, Rashad McCants, Jawad Williams, Raymond Felton, and Marvin Williams).

2005-2006: 19-12 (9-7 Big Ten), First Round

If you are keeping track at home, this season marked the eighth straight NCAA Tournament appearance for the Badgers. Tucker led the way for Wisconsin once again, tallying 19.0 points per game. He was joined in double figures by junior guard Kammron Taylor (14.2 points per game). This was, however, one of the more disappointing seasons from the Badgers in the 2000’s, as they finished fourth in the Big Ten and were ousted in the first round as a nine seed to the eight seed Arizona.

2006-2007: 30-6 (13-3 Big Ten), Second Round

Once again, Tucker and Taylor led the way for Wisconsin. This time, they torched the competition for a fantastic season. They finished second in the conference behind Ohio State (Mike Conley and Greg Oden. That was a really good team.). At one point, the Badgers had even gotten up to being ranked as the No. 1 team in the country before losing back-to-back. They entered the Big Dance as a two seed but were upset in the second round by seven seed UNLV.

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