Stunning end for Wisconsin's senior class

NEW YORK – The leaders of the Wisconsin men's basketball team began the season with big goals, and they weren't afraid to share them with anyone who asked.

Nigel Hayes was one of three players to represent the Badgers at Big Ten media day on Oct. 13 in Washington, D.C. When the senior forward was asked to finish the sentence, "This season, Wisconsin will …" he offered this response: "Have the greatest season of basketball it's ever had."

Back then, Hayes and Co. would have scoffed at the suggestion this Wisconsin team would go without a Big Ten title. And not even being among the Final Four in the NCAA tournament? Not possible.

Five months later, the final chapter of an unfulfilling season was written at Madison Square Garden, where the Badgers were dismissed with a heartbreaking 84-83 loss to Florida in a Sweet 16 game that ended well after midnight Saturday.

An off-balance three-pointer at the buzzer by Florida guard Chris Chiozza ended the careers of a decorated Badgers senior class that included Hayes, Bronson Koenig, Zak Showalter and Vitto Brown.

Those four walked off the floor in stunned silence. Sophomore center Ethan Happ put his arm around Showalter and told him to hold his tears until the Badgers reached the locker room, but it was too late.

"That's what I've been trying to prevent this whole season, this whole tournament run, having to come back in to tell all these guys I love them and thank you for everything," Showalter said. "This isn't how I wanted to do it."

Showalter then turned to Aaron Rodgers in the stands and offered an emphatic discount double-check motion at the Packers quarterback.

"I heard a quote once from an analyst that to win the tournament and you need to be lucky," said Hayes, who scored 22 points to lead five Badgers in double figures. "We got lucky to send it into overtime, and they one-upped us to win the game."

Wisconsin (27-10) appeared to take control in overtime when it led 80-75 with 1:09 to play, but Florida (27-8) rallied, thanks in part to a block by Canyon Barry against Khalil Iverson that led to Chiozza's layup to tie the score at 81-81 with 24 seconds left.

Hayes was fouled to get to the free-throw line with 4 seconds left. He was only 5-for-12 at the line up to that point, but he made both for a two-point lead.

Without a timeout, the Gators got the ball into the hands of Chiozza, who sped downcourt and released a three from the top of the key that went in as the buzzer sounded. Afterward, the Badgers lamented the fact they didn't do a better job of stopping the ball.

Wisconsin was making its fourth consecutive appearance in the Sweet 16, but each of those season-ending losses were punches in the gut. The seniors, having played in the Final Four in 2014 and '15, expected to add to that legacy during their final season.

Looking back on the seniors' career, Koenig said: "I wouldn't say a failure, I guess. We've done a lot, four straight Sweet 16s, we have a lot to be proud of. But we were definitely capable of winning a national championship, I still believe that."