Wisconsin advances with win over K-State
Mike Bruesewitz #31 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates during the first half of their game against the Kansas State Wildcats during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament. (March 19, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Jordan Taylor couldn't hit a thing, missing open shots and contested ones from just about everywhere on the court.
He did so much more when it mattered, though, and Wisconsin is headed back to the round of 16 because of him.
Taylor hit two big free throws and blocked Jacob Pullen's three-point attempt in the closing seconds to overcome a rough shooting night, lifting the Badgers to a 70-65 win over Kansas State Saturday night in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Taylor shot just 2-for-16 but came up with the biggest play of the game, swatting Pullen's tying attempt in the final seconds with Wisconsin (25-8) up three. Josh Gasser then hit two free throws to seal it, sending the fourth-seeded Badgers into the round of 16 for the fourth time since 2000.
Jon Leuer led Wisconsin with 19 points and Keaton Nankivil added 12. Taylor finished with 12 points, six assists, no turnovers and one big block.
Wisconsin moves on to face upset specialist Butler, a winner over top-seeded Pittsburgh, in the Southeast Regional semifinals Thursday in New Orleans.
Pullen matched a career high with 38 points to break Mike Evans' school career scoring mark (2,115 points), but he walked away wiping tears with his jersey after a stellar four years. Curtis Kelly (11 points) was the only other player to score in double figures for fifth-seeded Kansas State (23-11).
Kansas State and Wisconsin met in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, though only a handful of current players saw playing time in the Badgers' 17-point win.
