March 13--Wisconsin didn't play like a 1-seed in the Big Ten tournament, let like alone a team worthy of the top seed in the NCAA bracket.
The Badgers struggled to get by a height-deficient Michigan team that entered the game 16-15.
But they eventually did outscore the Wolverines, pulling away late to appease the Wisconsin fans that flocked to the United Center on Friday morning. Final score: 71-60.
The Badgers will face the winner of the Penn State-Purdue game at 11 a.m. Chicago time Saturday.
Coming off a 72-48 road demolition at of Ohio State five days ago, the Badgers were not sharp. They allowed Michigan to hit 27 of 52 (51.9 percent) from the field. And -- how rare is this? -- they committed more turnovers than their opponent (7 to 5).
They got zero points from the bench in the first half. In the second half, Frank Kaminsky got benched.
The soon-to-be named All-America center from Benet Academy had a brutal stretch -- missing a contested layup and throwing consecutive passes right to Michigan players. Coach Bo Ryan sat him down from the 12:25 to the 8:33 mark.
The Badgers did fine without him, thanks to back-to-back 3s from Dujan Duke, the 6-10 fifth-year senior from Deerfield.
Kaminsky did end up with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists.
Zak Irvin scored a team-high 21 for the Wolverines.
Michigan attempted just two free throws, missing both. Perhaps that's why Wolverines coach John Beilein jawed at the refs late in the game, earning a technical.
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
