Big Ten's "Hoops & Hockey" Doubleheader Draws 8,531, David Stern

The Big Ten held its "Hoops & Hockey" doubleheader at MSG yesterday, with a "rocking crowd" of 8,531 in attendance for Wisconsin's 61-54 OT victory over Rutgers in men's basketball. Meanwhile, a crowd of 5,002 saw Wisconsin defeat Ohio State 3-2 in men's hockey. The basketball game tipped at noon ET, while the hockey contest began at 6:00pm. Nine "busloads of Rutgers students made the trip," which was a home game for Rutgers. But Wisconsin fans "showed up in force," comprising at least 60% of the crowd. Meanwhile, former NBA Commissioner David Stern, a Rutgers alum, was in attendance, and sat courtside next to Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs. Hobbs said of Stern, "He loves Rutgers. He can still sing the fight song, so it was great to have him here" (ASBURY PARK PRESS, 1/29).