Not so fast, Marquette fans. You might want to hold off on buying those plane tickets to New Orleans.
Last night, in actions unprecedented for their sudden nature, the NCAA handed down sanctions on the University of Kentucky for unspecified academic fraud committed by key members of the men's basketball team. As part of the punishment, Kentucky is forced to forfeit all of its games this season, including its 63-57 win over Wisconsin last Thursday. While severely damaging to the prestige of the Wildcats' program, for Wisconsin, it amazingly means another shot to get to the Final Four.
The Badgers (11-4 Big Ten, 24-7 overall) will square off against the Marquette Golden Eagles (11-4 Conference USA, 27-5 overall) in a revised edition of the Midwest regional finals Tuesday night at 7:30 in the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
\We were surprised as any to hear the news, but we're certainly ready to take advantage of this extraordinary second chance,"" UW Head Coach Bo Ryan said. ""I alerted the guys this morning and they're excited to be playing again, especially for the chance to go to New Orleans.""
Marquette chose not to comment on the development, but an inside source indicated that Marquette Head Coach Tom Crean was making efforts to appeal the NCAA's decision.
However, even if Crean chooses to pursue legal action, the NCAA maintains that it will have no effect on its decision to replay the game.
""It's unfortunate that another school's improprieties will have such a widespread effect, but as unfair as it is to Marquette, it would have been equally unfair to Wisconsin to not take this course of action. There is no way to reverse this decision,"" said NCAA President Myles Brad.
Meanwhile, the UW players, who had been given two weeks off before the offseason strength and conditioning program resumed, returned to the Kohl Center Monday to practice for the upcoming game. The mood afterwards was one of surprise, relief and excitement to have another chance.
""I never dreamed that this could be happening,"" junior forward Freddie Owens said. ""I was getting ready to relax, but I'll take this any day. We need to get down to business.""
Senior guard Kirk Penney was probably the happiest (and most relieved) of the entire bunch.
""It's strange to think that I was beginning to come to terms with my college career being over, and now I'm jumping right back into the fray,"" Penney said. ""I am so grateful to have another shot at getting back to the Final Four. I just hope we have a good showing from our fans.""
Fans who attended last weekend's games will have priority for tickets, but the Wisconsin Athletic Department indicated that a few hundred remained available.
