Wisconsin wasn't supposed to be in this position -- Big Ten regular-season champions and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, which begins Thursday in Indianapolis.

But the Badgers accomplished all that, finishing the regular season 26-4 overall and 16-2 in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin doesn't feature a superstar or a superb scoring threat, which hurts in terms of marquee power entering the postseason. But the team is content winning with discipline and execution, a factor coach Bo Ryan believes will help the team -- not hurt it as pundits have suggested -- in the postseason.

Unlike last season, when Big Ten MVP Alando Tucker was counted on for 20 points every night, not one player averages as many as 14 points per game and Wisconsin has strong leadership, a big reason the team scored its 10th road win of the season on Saturday.

For those reasons and more, Wisconsin won't be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But the Badgers are a team to watch.

WISCONSIN 65, NORTHWESTERN 52: Leading scorer Brian Butch scored 20 points and had 14 of the Badgers' 38 rebounds Saturday to lead Wisconsin over Northwestern, clinching the Big Ten title outright.

A loss could have set up a share of the title -- Purdue and Indiana maintained an outside chance before Wisconsin won on Saturday. But the Badgers, who packed Evanston's Welsh-Ryan Arena with UW supporters, took care of business. Coach Bo Ryan set the tone early, yanking starting point guard Trevon Hughes one possession into the game after Hughes made an unforced turnover.

Wisconsin outrebounded Northwestern 38-21 and never trailed. The Badgers ended the first half on an 8-0 run and went on a 16-4 run in the second half when Butch completed a traditional three-point play.

Northwestern ends the season 8-21 overall and 1-17 in the Big Ten.

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