A number of UW students and their guests were part of the scene at the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Chicago last weekend. Each winner won a pair of tickets right behind the team bench to cheer on the Badgers courtesy of the UW Athletic Department.

On Friday evening, Paul Hampton, Melissa DeZoute, Gustavo Quiroga and Jaklyn Mashak and their guests enjoyed Wisconsin’s opening game of the tournament against Michigan State. Mashak got even more involved as she was selected to be part of the halftime show. She and other fans were hypnotized on the court and entertained fans by being led to believe they were characters such as a belly dancer, concert pianist and even a pop star. The “performance” of the group was definitely popular with the fans.

For Wisconsin’s semifinal match-up against Illinois Saturday, Sarah Ferrico, Adam Loomans, Daniel Brundage, Brandon O’Rourke and their guests were part of the Badger contingent. After a pre-game greeting from Coach Ryan’s wife Kelly, the group managed to make an appearance the United Center video-boards as they enjoyed a Badger victory.

For the tournament’s championship game Sunday afternoon Matt Young, Ryan Schwoegler, Cattie Fischer, Christa Tober and their guests made the trip to Chicago.

All the winners brought great enthusiasm and spirit to the game and represented the “Grateful Red” and the student body ver well. All were looking forward to following the Badgers in the NCAA Tournament.