Not long ago, in the days of one-win seasons and routine blowouts, picking five good moments would have been difficult simply because of a lack of options. Now, the task is equally hard, but for a much different reason-there are so many memorable events to choose from. Here now, are the top five moments of 2003-'04, as chosen by the Cardinal sports staff.
Despite a torrential, frigid downpour that would have made Noah uncomfortable, the UW faithful turned out en masse to witness UW bring an end to the Buckeyes' nation-leading 19-game winning streak. Matt Schabert's accurate pass to a wide-open Lee Evans put the Badgers up against Ohio State, while third-string Booker Stanley gave UW a consistent running game.
Wisconsin overcame a 3-1 third-period deficit in the first game to notch a 4-3 overtime victory over the then top-ranked Fighting Sioux. The win was sealed as Robbie Earl went airborne to score his third goal of the season. The next night, UW again came from behind and sent the Sioux reeling back to Fargo on the heels of a 5-2 dismantling.
On no occasion was Lee Evans' touchdown-catching prowess so magnificently exhibited as it was November 15. The Spartan secondary was at the mercy of No. 3 as he zigged and zagged his way to an astonishing five scores en route to a UW victory 56-21.
Spurred on by a partisan crowd at Milwaukee's Bradley Center, UW erased a 13-point Richmond lead with an amazing 34-8 run. Unlikely hero Boo Wade seemingly couldn't miss a shot on the way to a 16-point night in his hometown.
Though Wisconsin's string of consecutive regular season titles came to an end, Bo Ryan's squad made amends by winning the school's first-ever Big Ten Tournament crown. The march to the title culminated with a 70-53 deconstruction of the regular season champion Illini.
Devin Harris' 98 points in three games.
