As a disappointed University of Wisconsin’ men’s basketball team was leaving the court Saturday afternoon — and an equally frustrated crowd was filing to the exits as well — public-address announcer Mike Mahnke delivered some announcements.
Mahnke thanked fans for packing the Kohl Center this season, ending that thought with a dose of optimism. “We have a lot of season left,” Mahnke said.
Mahnke is a jovial man who was just doing his job.
There’s no reason to scrap the plan of letting people know that tickets are still available for the upcoming Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.
But pardon any skeptical ears in the house following the No. 12 Badgers’ 86-75 loss to Penn State.
After that performance, it was fair to question whether Wisconsin actually does have a lot of season remaining in front of it.
Even Badgers coach Greg Gard admitted as much following a stunning defeat that sticks out like a blemish on an otherwise glowing resume for his team.
“Like I told them, we’re lucky. We get to play again,” Gard said.
“But from here on out, if you play like this, you won’t play long.”
The season for Penn State may be over. Coach Mike Rhoades was more focused on enjoying his team’s season-best victory than wondering if Penn State would be invited to one of the lower-tier postseason tournaments later this month.
The Nittany Lions (16-15, 6-14) will not be able to make it to the Big Ten tournament.
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