Morley, Wisconsin face Iowa in Big Ten semis
 
Surprising Hawkeyes shoot for another upset  

March 12, 2005

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    Wisconsin has discovered a new offensive weapon in Zack Morley as it continues its quest for a second straight Big Ten tournament title.

    The 23rd-ranked Badgers (21-7) hope Morley can continue his strong play as they take on upset-minded Iowa (21-10) in the semifinals Saturday at the United Center in Chicago.

    Morley scored a career-high 23 points to lead third-seeded Wisconsin to a 60-49 win over Ohio State in the quarterfinals Friday. The 6-foot-8 senior forward went 8-of-11 from the floor, 6-of-6 from the line and had seven rebounds for the Badgers, who won their fourth straight game.

    Morley, averaging just 7.3 points this season, stepped it up as leading scorers Alando Tucker and Mike Wilkinson combined for just 9-of-28 shooting and 12 points apiece.

    "Mike and Tucker struggled with balance in the post when we got it in there," said Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan. "(Morley) was able to get to rim a couple of times, he was able to get to post. We just needed some better finishes and Zach seemed to be the guy. He's always aware. He's always a guy that likes to play.

    "We're hoping tomorrow he can come back and give us the same thing."

    Iowa advanced with a 71-69 upset of 13th-ranked Michigan State on Friday.

    After the Spartans missed two crucial free throws with seven seconds left, Hawkeyes backup Jack Brownlee came up with a huge rebound and hit his second free throw to help Iowa to its fifth straight victory.

    Greg Brunner and Mike Henderson scored 17 points each and Jeff Horner added 16 for the seventh-seeded Hawkeyes, who have overcome the loss of leading scorer Pierre Pierce.

    Pierce was kicked off the team on Feb. 2 after allegations that he'd assaulted his ex-girlfriend and broken into her home.

    Iowa hopes to repeat its run of 2001, when it won four games in four days to capture its lone Big Ten tourney title and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

    "We want to win the Big Ten tournament, and that's all we care about right now, really," said Horner, who stole Michigan State's last-gasp inbounds pass to end the game.

    "Hopefully the selection committee looks at this. It's kind of out of our hands, but if we get two more wins, then they can't keep us out."

    Iowa leads the all-time series 74-68, but Wisconsin has won eight of the last 10 meetings and four in a row, including a 72-69 come-from-behind victory at home on Feb. 9.

    The winner will meet either top-ranked Illinois or Minnesota in the final on Sunday.


     

     


     
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