Michael Finley, the Wisconsin Field House, and the 2000 Final Four: these are just a few of the common responses when we asked Badgers, “When you think of Badger men’s basketball, what’s the first person, place, or moment you think of?”
Take a trip down Badger basketball memory lane with these responses from UW friends!
Nigel Hayes! We had a class together and he wrote a sweet note to my 12-year-old brother who was obsessed with Badger basketball. His vocab lessons with the stenographers were incredible. Being a UW student in 2015 was amazing!
Helen R.
FRANK THE TANK! He was an amazing player.
Samantha R.
The old field house!! Kohl Center was built decades later!
Amy W.
‘95, my freshman year, in the Field House, the last year there. Such a great experience!
Dan S.
Watching the 2015 finals run with my wife and choosing to name our son Dekker!!
Aaron S.
Micheal Finley beating Michigan and the Fab 5 in the field house.
Laura A. W.
The 2000 run to the Final Four and the impromptu party and parade to the Capitol.
Erin A.
Final Four in 2015, where WI ruined Ky’s perfect season by defeating them! I was so lucky to be there, and it is something I relive over and over!
Wendy F.
Frank, Sam, Nigel, and the gang post-game interviews with the press and captivating the nation.
Linda H. B.
Bobby Knight at the Field House in a triple-overtime game. This is when the Badgers started their way up to relevance.
John P.
Taking a basketball class in college and having no chance to pass because the players were in my class. Darnell Hodgkins. I think that was who was there. Early 1990s.
Jeni M.
My dad: Bobby Cook, Big Ten scoring champion in 1947.
James C.
The welcome-home celebration at Camp Randall in 2000, when we punched our ticket to the Final Four!! I was 10. Best excuse to stay up laaaate! And being at Lucas Oil stadium for the 2015 Final Four, when we knocked off then-undefeated Kentucky to make them 38-1!
Bee Z.
Nigel Hayes. His sweet interview when he didn't realize the reporter could hear him compliment her. The way he'd work underneath and bump back defenders, patiently waiting for his shot. How he played the game like a kid at recess … always having fun.
Jennifer P.
Coach Bill Cofield and the game against the Magic Johnson–led Michigan State basketball team on March 3, 1979, Wes Matthews delivered the Spartans a stunning defeat — their last en route to an NCAA title. Matthews took an inbound pass with seconds left, dribbled to halfcourt unchallenged, and heaved the winning shot with a second to play, as the UW won, 83–81. What a stunner! What a memory!
Joline S.
Son was a freshman the year they went to the finals. Great memories of Frank and Bronson Koenig sinking a buzzer-beater 3-pointer from the corner.
Michael B.
Wesley Matthews's half court game winner over Michigan State at the Field House in 1979. Last collegiate loss for Earvin “Magic” Johnson. I was there and the LOUDEST roar I have EVER heard, to this day.
John H.
Watching the Badgers beat undefeated Kentucky in the final four and the absolutely amazing post-game celebration on state street!
Nick T.
Bo Ryan! Brought excellence to the program.
Joel G.
Bronson Koenig buzzer beater!
Kelley H.
I think of us in the airport in Negril - risking missing our flight so we could see Freddy Owens hit that three to beat Tulsa.
Molly E.
Wes Mathews’s 55 foot shot at the buzzer to hand Michigan State and Earvin “Magic” Johnson their last defeat in 1979. They would then win out to claim the National Championship.
Stu D.
Patrick Tompkins buzzer beater. "It's awesome baby, it's awesome!"
Dave L.
Kirk Penney. Kohl Center with the filled-in red Arc.
Jonny G.
The Field House where my husband proposed to me at halftime, in the stands, December 1993.
Kimberly B. O.
Had class with Rashard Griffith in ’93-’94 – Physics for Poets.
Rebecca G. S.
Joe Franklin's ovation, standing alone at midcourt on Senior Day. Gosebumps!
Geoff V.
John Kotz from Rhinelander on the 1941 national championship team.
Mary J.
Beating Purdue in 2000 to make it to the Final Four. We all ran to State Street and celebrated with thousands of our friends.
Courtney O. M.
When they came to play during the NCAA tournament over a decade ago at Jacksonville Memorial Arena. They lost, but on my way down, I took the stairs with none other than then-AD Barry Alvarez.
Angel M. P.
The “Drink Milk” sign in the old field house.
Mark H.
Beating the Hoosiers and George McGinnis in overtime!
Greg Q.
38-1. If you know, you know.
Nicholas E.
Mike Bruesewitz thanking the fans!
Jody S.
You can see more answers in the original Facebook post.
