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Tucker can pass Finley for Wisconsin scoring record

Mar 9, 2007 - 4:00 PM Michigan St (22-10) at No. 4 Wisconsin (27-4) 6:40 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- A slightly above-average performance can give Alando Tucker a pair of scoring records at Wisconsin.

The Big Ten Player of the Year, Tucker looks to lead the fourth-ranked Badgers to a school-record 28th victory when they meet Michigan State in Friday's quarterfinals of the conference tournament.

Tucker, who played in 96 win for the Badgers in his four years, is one point shy of surpassing Devin Harris' single-season scoring record (624) set in 2004. He is also 23 points away from the school's career mark (2,147) held by Michael Finley.

Wisconsin is the second seed in the tournament for just the second time in school history after a 13-3 campaign against Big Ten foes. The Badgers last won the tournament in 2004 by topping Illinois in the final.

Despite consecutive losses to Michigan State and Ohio State, the Badgers exacted some revenge against the Spartans with a 52-50 victory in Saturday's regular-season finale. Tucker led Wisconsin with 26 points and was the only Badgers player in double figures.

Tucker, who averages 20.1 points, and fellow-senior Kammron Taylor (12.5) have combined for 3,258 career points, a Wisconsin record for teammates.

Looking to capture the tournament crown for the first time since back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000, Michigan State bounced back with Thursday's 62-57 triumph over Northwestern.

Drew Neitzel, a first-team All Big-Ten selection, scored 20 points and needs 15 to reach 1,000 for his career. Raymar Morgan added 15 for the Spartans, who are seeded seventh.

The Badgers have won two of the three all-time tournament encounters against the Spartans.

The winner of this contest faces either Indiana or Illinois.