Seasons to remember: String of victories buoys program

The Badger men’s basketball appearance at the Final Four last weekend adds to an already lengthy string of accomplishments by student athletes in basketball and other athletic programs this academic year. For example:

The hockey team’s 31 wins won it a spot at the NCAA West Regional Quarterfinal. The hockey team won the MacNaughton Cup, among other victories this season. Captain Steve Reinprecht led the country in scoring for the season, and he is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award to be announced Friday, April 7.
Playing at the Kohl Center, the Wisconsin women’s basketball team defeated Florida March 29 to win its first Women’s National Invitational Tournament title, 75-74.
The Badger men won, 64-60, over Purdue March 25 in the NCAA West Regional championship game. The win sent Wisconsin to its first Final Four in 59 years, where the Badgers fell to the Michigan State Spartans.

Earlier, the Badger football team won its second straight Rose Bowl and player Ron Dayne took home the Heisman Trophy. And spring sports are just getting under way.

Students in Ogg Hall watching the Badger game
Students in Ogg Hall watch the men’s basketball team defeat Purdue. Photo: Stephanie Judge.

Fans celebrating in State Street
Even in defeat, fans celebrated the team’s long string of victories in an outpouring on State Street. Photo: Jeff Miller.

Players runing on to the Camp Randall field
Men’s basketball players run onto the field at Camp Randall Stadium at a welcome home event March 25. Photo: Jeff Miller.

The women's team in action
Badger women wait for the ball to fall in the WNIT final. Photo: Aaron Peterson.

Hockey’s Steve Reinprecht led the country in scoring this season. Photo courtesy Men’s Sports Information.