I love Florida!

[wadesworld]

Gators defense at the end of regulation was also suspect.
If you're up 3, all 5 guys need to defend the 3pt line. Concede the layup.

The only problem with it was they didn't foul. Otherwise they did exactly what you said. Showalter made an absolute prayer of a shot that had no business going in. If you are playing straight up D, you couldn't have defended the 3 any better. He took a one foot runner from 3.

[Hards Alumni]

Gators defense at the end of regulation was also suspect.
If you're up 3, all 5 guys need to defend the 3pt line. Concede the layup.

The last 5 minutes of regulation and most of OT were extremely poorly coached on Florida's end.

[We R Final Four]

Well I certainly wouldn't put a forward on a PG who then blows past the forward and gets a clean look at 3 while 3 other defenders are flat footed inside the 3 point line

Nor would I--which was why I stated it was certainly a questionable approach.
Doesn't mean that the only other option is to allow an uncontested layup.

[amen426]

Chris Chiozza can have my baby!

I'm guessing Florida fans are still holding out their excitement until 1 more win. After all, they got bounced early in the real tournament - the SEC Tournament.

As you said earlier this month, conference tournament championships are greater than Elite 8's.

[brewcity77]

I'm guessing Florida fans are still holding out their excitement until 1 more win. After all, they got bounced early in the real tournament - the SEC Tournament.

As you said earlier this month, conference tournament championships are greater than Elite 8's.

They are, but keeping Wisconsin from competing for a national championship is what matters here, since as I said, that's bigger than a conference championship.

[TJ]

The last 5 minutes of regulation and most of OT were extremely poorly coached on Florida's end.

I came here to ask why Florida stopped playing offense for the last 2 minutes of regulation, especially their last two possessions when their lead was clearly slipping away. It was very frustrating to watch.

[GooooMarquette]

I came here to ask why Florida stopped playing offense for the last 2 minutes of regulation, especially their last two possessions when their lead was clearly slipping away. It was very frustrating to watch.

Yep - in the game thread, I asked why Florida stopped playing after 37 minutes...

[forgetful]

The last 5 minutes of regulation and most of OT were extremely poorly coached on Florida's end.

The thing I respect, is that Florida's coach admitted this in the postgame, and gave his players credit for essentially saving his hide.

[muwarrior69]

They are, but keeping Wisconsin from competing for a national championship is what matters here, since as I said, that's bigger than a conference championship.

Brew, you are more into this than I am, but will UW be competitive next season as they lose 4(?) seniors? Living here on the east coast I'm insulated from all the animus each side has for the other, but back in 2003 when we beat UK it seemed that the entire state was rooting for MU after Wisconsin lost in the same regional. Have thing got really that bad?

[MU82]

As the thread title says, I love Florida, too.

But I will admit that I was not loving the Gators as they pissed away their lead by playing prevent offense. When Showalter's shot went in, I cussed so loudly that my poor pup ran for cover under my desk in the room next door! I'm not proud of that.

And then I was in a freakin' ornery mood the entire OT, as Wiscy outplayed Fla badly even though Koenig was a non-factor.

And then came Chiozza's shot ... and all was right with the world!

I brushed my teeth, climbed into bed, and fell asleep almost immediately. And no doubt, with a big smile on my face!

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Brew, you are more into this than I am, but will UW be competitive next season as they lose 4(?) seniors? Living here on the east coast I'm insulated from all the animus each side has for the other, but back in 2003 when we beat UK it seemed that the entire state was rooting for MU after Wisconsin lost in the same regional. Have thing got really that bad?

Since most "Badger fans" didn't actually attend UW, they are flexible when a bandwagon comes along.

[brewcity77]

Brew, you are more into this than I am, but will UW be competitive next season as they lose 4(?) seniors? Living here on the east coast I'm insulated from all the animus each side has for the other, but back in 2003 when we beat UK it seemed that the entire state was rooting for MU after Wisconsin lost in the same regional. Have thing got really that bad?

I'm not ready to write UW off just yet. They lost 3 senior starters in 2013 and went to back-to-back Final Fours in 2014 and 2015. They lost 3 senior starters and a junior that went in the first round of the NBA draft in 2015 and went to back-to-back Sweet 16s. Next year they return a second-team All-American in Happ and both Trice and Iverson played significant minutes this year. They also bring in redshirt freshman Aleem Ford, who everyone is reportedly very high on as well as a couple of true freshmen in Reuvers and King that could be immediate contributors. They may take a step back, but until proven otherwise, I think they'll still be good.

In 2003, having successful in-state programs was somewhat of a novelty. The Bo Ryan era served to make Badger fans more and more intolerable by the year, and comments from the Dekkers, Kaminskys, Koenigs, and Hayes of the world have only made it worse. Sure, the bandwagon fans would likely come back, but the diehard, vocal Wisconsin fans are about as arrogant, entitled, and condescending as you will find in sports. Especially for a fanbase and program that has done very little to be arrogant or entitled.