Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, April 7, 2015
Wisconsin was hoping to celebrate the program's second national title Monday night.
[ MORE: Dienhart's rapid reaction to Wisconsin's loss ]
Duke had other ideas, however, as the Blue Devils rallied past the Badgers, 68-63, to claim their fifth national crown.
No, Wisconsin didn't get its first NCAA crown since 1941 or the Big Ten's first since 2000 (Michigan State), but this team compiled one of the greatest seasons in recent Big Ten memory.
Top 5 ranking? Check. Big Ten regular season title? Check. Big Ten tourney title? Check. Back-to-back Final Four berths? Check. Upsetting No. 1 overall seed Kentucky and ruining its quest for perfection? Check.
The Badgers, past and present, went to Twitter to react to the defeat. See the tweets below.
https://twitter.com/dekker/status/585295749371428866Never been more proud of a group in my entire life. What we achieved will never be taken away from us. Thank you for having me @UWMadison
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) April 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/BronsonK_24/status/585301821939408896What a crazy ride. Thank you teammates, coaches, family, and fans for the greatest 5 years of my life. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did
— Josh Gasser (@JPGasser21) April 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/ZShowbball333/status/585295169630687233Be an honor wearing the Badger uniform these last 5 years. Love this team #badger4life
— Duje Dukan (@dujedukan) April 7, 2015
So proud of this team and this great group of seniors! Such an awesome run, I'm so grateful and blessed. This is where it starts...
— West Dayton (@West_Dayton11) April 7, 2015
Former Badgers chimed in, as well.
Couldn't be prouder of my @UWBadgers. Not the way we wanted it to end but so proud of my @BadgerMBB
— Devin Harris (@Dev34Harris) April 7, 2015
Still proud of my Badgers. What a great experience, had a blast seeing the old crew. Love you guys!
— Greg Stiemsma (@gregstiemsma) April 7, 2015
Still proud of this team and love my school. What a run #OnWisconsin
— Ben Brust (@BenBrust) April 7, 2015
Wisconsin had a great year regardless of the outcome, couldn't be happier on how the team represented UW this year. Proud to be a Badger!
— Jason Bohannon (@JBohannon12) April 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/DanFahey10/status/585301932509569024Coach Ryan just proved you can work hard, do it the "right way," and rise through the ranks to the pinnacle #Badgers #WeMadeEmBelieve
— Zach Bohannon (@ZBohannon) April 7, 2015
As a former player and a guy who grew up watching @BadgerMBB games, this team was a blast to watch. Heck of a run.
— Brett Valentyn (@BValentyn15) April 7, 2015