Wisconsin wins 2015 Big Ten Tournament by topping Michigan State in thriller

The last Division I college basketball game before the 2015 NCAA Tournament field is announced was a doozy and a half. Wisconsin was left standing at the end of it, after vanquishing a valiant Michigan State team, 80-69, in the final of the 2015 Big Ten Tournament.

The Spartans took a one-point lead into halftime despite a Frank Kaminsky three to conclude the first period, and they extended that advantage to 11 points in the second half. But the Badgers fought back, eventually taking a three-point lead late thanks to five quick points from Kaminsky, the Big Ten Player of the Year.

But then Michigan State answered with a 5-0 run of its own — a cold-blooded Denzel Valentine three and a Travis Trice layup. And then the game lost its damn mind.

That save by Josh Gasser — whose foot was clearly on the line on replay, and thus out of bounds — helped extend Wisconsin's last possession in regulation. Bronson Koenig made good on it, driving and getting fouled on a layup, then making both free throws to tie the game at 69-69.

With just three team fouls to that point in the second half, Wisconsin managed to whittle the Spartans' remaining time in regulation to under three seconds by fouling before a shot twice. Branden Dawson then missed a jumper from the high post at the buzzer.

Sadly, the exhilarating back-and-forth play ended when regulation did. Wisconsin dominated in overtime, striking first on a Nigel Hayes three and then running its lead to six on an icy off-the-dribble corner three from Koenig. On defense, the Badgers kept Michigan State from scoring for the entire extra period. Hayes finished with 25 points, Koenig with 18 points and nine assists, and Kaminsky with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists.