Badger Bits: Underachievers no more?

Let's kick off Badger Bits today with an update on B5Q's tournament challenge on ESPN. After two rounds, B5Q member Kujo316 is in the lead with 510 points. If you're behind Kujo316 like the rest of us, never fear! There's still plenty of basketball to be played, folks. Unless you had a PItt-Syracuse championship game or something. Then you're pretty much done. On to the links!

Tom Oates of Madison.com wonders whether the Badgers have shaken off their "tournament underachiever" label. Oates points out what most of us have seen for a few years: the Badger basketball team can dominate in the regular season, but often looks like a different team in the post season.

Oates says the Badgers' defeat of Kansas State doesn't completely erase their past, but it's a start towards building a new reputation around the program. Obviously, another few blowouts in either the Big Ten tournament or the NCAA tournament could change all this. But what do you think? What does the Badgers' Sweet 16 berth mean? Be sure to vote in the poll!

More Badger Bits after the jump!

Tom Oates and Rob Schultz write that even though Jordan Taylor had an off night, he was still crucial to the Badgers' Second Round win.

Madison.com has an AP story that says Butler is at it again in the NCAA tournament.

Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that not everything went right during the Badgers' last win.

Avinash Kunnath of SB Nation Bay Area has a preview of Thursday's UW-Butler game. The Sweet 16 matchup tips off at 8:57 CST, so be sure to keep checking B5Q for all your pre-game, mid-game, and post-game needs!

Meghan Duggan was named the 2011 Patty Kazmaier award winner, given annually to the nation's top women's hockey player. Duggan is the third Badger to bring home the award.

Finally, congratulations are in order! The Wisconsin women's hockey team won the 2011 national championship yesterday, when they defeated the Boston University Terriers 4-1!