The Road Less Traveled

Espn.com's Pat Forde details Wisconsin's men's basketball rise to national prominence during Bo Ryan's tenure, including its pursuit of a Final Four appearence this year.

Forde credits Wisconsin's success to Ryan's blueprint for building a program like a football team, including the use of redshirting freshman to build experienced teams.

Forde also takes a shot at Indiana fans by comparing their rushing the court to Lance Armstrong pumping his fists after beating the neighborhood kid in a bicycle race (Indiana has won nearly 80% of the games between the two teams since 1950). Associate AD Vince Sweeney thinks Wednesday was the first time that an opponent's fans have ever rushed the court after beating UW.

The Badgers should be able to start a new winning streak against Northwestern today. But they should keep in the back of their minds the bad feelings after losing on Wednesday and not forget that the fans at their four remaining road games are chomping at the bit to dance on their home floor.