The Big Ten Tournament is here, and the Wisconsin Badgers desperately need a win (or two) in order to keep their hopes of a NCAA Tournament berth alive. They will start off the opening round of the tournament when they face Ohio State at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 8. Ahead of the game, assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft joined his former teammate Brian Butch on “Nine 2 Noon” on 97.3 The Game to discuss the Badgers’ attitude going into what is a vital game for their Big Dance chances.
Joe Krabbenhoft Discusses the Badgers’ Big Ten Tournament Opening Round Opponent
Brian Butch started off his interview with Coach Krabbenhoft by asking him if he was okay with getting Ohio State as opposed to Minnesota as their opening round opponent:
“Well, I’ll give you the coaching answer first, Brian, and you know what that is. We’re just grateful for the opportunity to play. Everybody is 0-0 and we’re playing some of our best basketball since earlier in the year. A couple of the outcomes didn’t go our way. One at Purdue, another at Michigan. But I think since that Iowa game, specifically offensively, we have been scoring the ball at a higher level. Getting better shots and really playing well, combined with our stingy defense all year.
“I’m excited for where the team is at, and no matter who the opponent is, we’re going to need to play good basketball because we’re in a scenario where it’s kind of win or go home. But as far as the opponent goes, uh, well because it’s you, Butchy I can tell you, I did not want to play Minnesota two times in a row. I didn’t like that.”
Coach Krabbenhoft Praises the Badgers for Improving Over the Last Couple of Weeks
Krabbenhoft continued talking about how the Badgers have improved over the last couple of weeks and how that will affect them going into the Big Ten Tournament:
“No matter who the opponent is, Wednesday obviously it’s Ohio State, and after that it’s Iowa if we can advance. It’s about putting your best foot forward and I feel like over the past couple of weeks we’ve really done that. Now the outcomes have not always been there, but I think they’re going to continue to give us a chance to get the right outcome if we keep playing good basketball.”
Coach Krabbenhoft’s full interview, as well as the full show hosted by Brian Butch and guest host Tim Scott of iHeart Milwaukee, can be heard in the link above.
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