Some years back, the University of Wisconsin awarded special status to six of its athletic programs.
Because they were given additional resources, those tier-one programs â?? football, volleyball, menâ??s and womenâ??s basketball and menâ??s and womenâ??s hockey â?? automatically became the face of UW athletics.
Therefore, it was fitting that the last of UWâ??s tier-one sports still standing in this academic year â?? the womenâ??s basketball team â?? squandered a 15-point lead in the second half and lost to St. Bonaventure in the WNIT last week. It was appropriate because, with one notable exception, athletic director Barry Alvarezâ??s highest-profile teams just couldnâ??t finish what they started this year.