Bucky's 5th Quarter: All Posts by Phil Mitten

Wisconsin Football Recruiting Targets

2013-05-16T01:03:00Z

Early enrollees: 2
CB Keelon Brookins, St. Paul MN |
CB Sojourn Shelton, Fort Lauderdale FL |

Grayshirts: 3
TE Troy Fumagalli, Aurora IL |
DT Sam Raridon, Des Moines IA |
ATH Austin Ramesh, Eagle River WI |

Walk-ons: 3
ATH D.J. Spurling, Slinger WI | NR
ATH Joe Ferguson, Madison WI | NR
LB Jack Chichy, Somerset WI | NR

Decommits: 4
OT Darius Latham, Indianapolis IN - Indiana
S Marcus Ball, Westerville OH - Arizona State
S Tiquention Coleman, Milledgeville GA / JUCO - Arkansas
S Tyler Foreman, Encino CA - UCLA

Hard commits: 4
OT Jaden Gault, Monona Grove WI |
OG George Panos, Hartland WI |
DE Conor Sheehy, Milwaukee WI |
DE Billy Hirschfeld, Hartland WI |

Soft commits: 1
DT Craig Evans, Sun Prairie WI |

Decommits: 1
QB-PRO Chance Stewart, Sturgis MI |

Scholarship offered:
QB-PRO Austin Kafentzis, Sandy UT | NR
DE Jashon Cornell, St. Paul MN | NR

Legend:
player has B5Q recruiting profile
composite star rating compiled by 247Sports.com

Hettenbach Out as Strength & Conditioning Coach

2013-04-25T23:08:33Z

According to a story by Jim Polzin in the print edition of today's Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin men's basketball strength & conditioning coach Scott Hettenbach will not return next season. While the university has not indicated why his contract was not renewed, the move is certainly a surprise around these parts.

For the last 18 years, Hettenbach oversaw the physical conditioning of the basketball team during the most successful stretch in program history. In 2007, the UW-La Crosse alum was promoted to Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning, overseeing the performance training regimens for 22 different sports on campus.

Hettenbach also led training programs for the swimming, diving and golf programs on campus. And maybe the sum of those responsibilities has more to do with his departure than anything related to the basketball program.

Perhaps it is not coincidental, however, that Wisconsin is seeking a new direction following its most recent early NCAA tournament exit in which the fifth-seeded Badgers were beaten by 12th-seeded Mississippi and its powerful front line.

Although numerous airballed free throws kept them from scoring more, brawny Murphy Holloway (6-7, 240 lb) and Reginald Buckner (6-9, 235 lb) effectively controlled the paint for the Rebels in a 57-46 upset. The two seniors combined for 19 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks, while holding UW's three senior forwards well below their season averages. Holloway, it turns out, actually auditioned for NFL scouts recently as a tight end prospect.

That loss cannot be pinned entirely on the strength program, of course, but every aspect of the program is scrutinized after a disappointing season finale. Still, Hettenbach -- or any S&C coach for that matter -- doesn't fit the description of a fall guy.

Badger greats of past and present have always been quick to thank "Scotty" for his work with them. Hettenbach seemed genuinely loved by the players. Players were routinely breaking workout records under his watch. Hettenbach installed innovative methods for the Badgers, such as annual ultimate frisbee games to "basically fool them into a great conditioning session."

Now, just like a UW football team without S&C coach Ben Herbert, the basketball team won't look quite the same next fall without Hettenbach on the sidelines.

If you wanted to apply for Hettenbach's old post, applications were due yesterday. Sorry.

* * *

As long as we're talking about coaching, the Wisconsin State Journal also offered up a UW System salary database, from which I can remind you how much the university is paying the basketball coaches.

2011-12 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Salaries

Name	Position	Salary
RYAN JR, WILLIAM F	COACH	$400,000
GARD, GREGORY GLEN	ASST COACH	$171,199
CLOSE, RALPH E	ASST COACH	$139,281
PARIS, LAMONT	ASST COACH	$105,000

Wait a sec -- Gary Close's real first name is Ralph? Fantastic. I would switch back personally. Should I start calling Greg Gard "G-Cubed"?

Together, Bo Ryan and his three assistants earned $815,480 in salary funded by program revenue last season, with Ryan leading the way with a cool $400k. (The State Journal previously reported in 2011 that Ryan took home a base salary of $436,364. It is unclear where the difference came from.) Luckily men's basketball operates in the black in Madison.

Ryan's program-funded salary is only a piece of the head coach's full compensation. After receiving a raise two season ago, Ryan's total compensation package was valued at over $2.1 million thanks to private gift funds from the UW Foundation, which cover aspects like media tie-ins, bonuses, etc.

2013 Wisconsin Spring Football: Beau Allen and Defensive Line Shift to 3-4 Look

2013-04-14T14:00:04Z

The explosion of J.J. Watt notwithstanding, Wisconsin has more of a legacy on the defensive line than people think. This program has a track record of sending talented and hard-working players to the next level, a tradition that was highlighted by the 2005 NFL Draft in which Wisconsin's entire four-man unit was selected. Though it may have reached a pinnacle in recent years with Watt and O'Brien Schofield, only twice during Bret Bielema's tenure -- once after his first season as head coach and again in 2012 -- did a Badger defensive lineman fail to be drafted into the the league.

This month, the 2013 NFL Draft will mark the third time. On the bright side, every single player from Wisconsin's defensive front last year returned for another season.

And yet, when talking about the line specifically, this year's group is suddenly missing two of its most effective pass rushers. Injury-riddled David Gilbert made the tough decision to sit out his final year, while sixth-year senior Brendan Kelly moves from a three-point stance in a 4-3 defense to the outside linebacker position in defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's 3-4 alignment. Roles, they are a changin' ...

More Spring Previews: QB RB WR TE OL

Never fear though, because real American hero Beau Allen is back to anchor the new look. As a nose tackle in the 3-4 Allen's size (6-3, 333 lb) and tenacity will be a huge asset. The senior hopes to rejoin his teammates yet this spring after having ankle surgery in January to repair ligament damage. The coaching staff believes Allen can be the cornerstone of its new configuration.

"He'll be able to tie up two blockers, all of the while knocking guys back," Aranda said. "That's what you look for in that spot. He's a big part of the defense going forward."

Alongside Allen are fellow seniors Ethan Hemer and Pat Muldoon. Hemer is the most experienced member of the starters, having started six games as a freshman and every game since then.

Led by mostly the same front seven it will feature in 2013, the Badgers were solid on defense for the most part in 2012. Wisconsin ranked 16th in scoring defense (19.1 ppg), 17th in opponents' third down conversion rate (32.6%), and 25th in rushing defense (128.9 ypg), the latter two which can be attributed in large part to the defensive line.

But on the other hand, Wisconsin only forced 15 turnovers -- one of the lowest numbers in college football. That speaks to an insufficient pass rush and playmaking ability.

Meanwhile, Gary Andersen's Utah State team ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense last year and 14th in total defense (322 yds/game). The Aggies also ranked sixth in sacks thanks to Aranda and a blitzing 3-4 defense. If Andersen and Aranda can produce the same production in the Big Ten during year one, Wisconsin will be well-positioned for another championship run.

Spring Depth Chart

First string
DL - Ethan Hemer -- 6-foot-6, 296 pounds, RS senior
NT - Beau Allen -- 6-foot-3, 333 pounds, senior
DL - Pat Muldoon -- 6-foot-3, 258 pounds, RS senior

Second string
DL - Konrad Zagzebski -- 6-foot-3, 271 pounds, RS junior
NT - Warren Herring -- 6-foot-3, 286 pounds, RS junior
DL - James Adeyanju -- 6-foot-2, 259 pounds, RS sophomore

Reserves
Bryce Gilbert -- 6-foot-1, 305 pounds, RS junior
Jake Keefer -- 6-foot-3, 254 pounds, RS sophomore
Arthur Goldberg -- 6-foot-3, 282 pounds, RS freshman
Logan Schmidt -- 6-foot-5, 273 pounds, RS freshman

Incoming freshmen
Chikwe Obasih (B5Q profile) -- 6-foot-3, 235 pounds
Alec James (B5Q profile) -- 6-foot-4, 225 pounds

Strengths

You could argue this was a perfect season to switch the defensive scheme because of the experienced trio Wisconsin returns up front. Allen and Hemer each started all 14 games for the Badgers as juniors, while Muldoon started six. In all, these guys have 118 appearances under their belt. All three players are classic Badger grinders. The towering Hemer came to the program as a walk-on and finally received his scholarship a year ago.

They're intelligent too -- all of them having earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in their careers.

Considering their role in Aranda's defense, the collective attitude and smarts of the group will come in handy. By removing a fourth lineman, the onus is on these three to swallow up the offense's blockers to allow the linebacker corps to make plays.

Hailing from Minnetonka, Minnesota, with flowing Viking-like blond locks, Allen is one of the emotional leaders of the defense and the team as a whole. He's shown a capacity to play up in big games, notching TFLs against Michigan State, Ohio State and Stanford last year. Allen is the closest thing the Badgers have to an impact playmaker on the line this season.

Wisconsin has a few promising players backing up Allen, as both Herring and Bryce Gilbert got a handful of reps last year during Big Ten play. Maybe it's his basketball skills, but I think Herring has the makings of the next quality Badger lineman.

It is possible that Andersen may want to rotate a guy like Tyler Dippel, who is also transitioning to linebacker, back onto the line at times just to keep his best players on the field. Keep in mind that even though Wisconsin will primarily play a 3-4 this season, there will still be some 4-3 look mixed in. Dippel tied with Kelly for the team lead with five sacks in 2012.

Weaknesses

Generating a pass rush from the line is the glaring concern on the defensive line heading into the season. Last season Allen, Hemer and Muldoon combined for only six sacks total, with Warren Herring chipping in a half-sack. Unlike the departed David Gilbert, none of the projected starters possess remarkable athleticism (though Allen gets kudos for blocking a punt against Purdue).

Luckily, the scheme change should lessen the impact of the problem. Technically, an extra rush end will be lining up at linebacker and the coaching staff has stressed how it wants to keep opponents guessing with different blitz packages.

A 3-4 scheme can generate more big plays because it is less predictable. However, some consider the strategy more difficult to pull off in college football because of the bigger bodies it requires on the defensive line. Beyond Allen, and perhaps Hemer, it remains to be seen how well a slightly undersized group holds up against the run over a full season. Since all the lineman were recruited by the old staff with a 4-3 system in mind, many of them aren't prototypical 3-4 ends or tackles.

Which leads to the topic of depth. Keeping fresh legs in the game will be important as the impact of one lineman being fatigued could be magnified by an opponent's powerful running game.

Berggren Needs to Take Advantage of Portsmouth Invite

2013-04-12T14:00:12Z

Jared Berggren's talent was always apparent during his career at Wisconsin, even if he didn't display it routinely. Maybe he fooled us last year into thinking he was a legit 3-point marksman when he made 45-of-121 (37.2%) treys. But his 27-point outburst against Creighton gave us hope that he was going to have a dominant senior season.

Intertwined with a handful of thunderous dunks and few clutch moments were his steady defense and rim protection. Dominance never materialized. Berggren finished his college tenure scoring in single digits in five of his last eight games.

This week, Berggren's quest for a pro career started with an appearance at the 61st annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, marking the sixth year in a row a former Badger has been invited to participate.

Theoretically, the Portsmouth setting should be perfect for Berggren though. He's a guy who we know possesses athleticism and shooting ability, but in many ways hasn't lived up to his potential yet. The slate hasn't been wiped completely clean for the 64 seniors who attend, but the opportunity is there to start reshaping their reputations.

Berggren, known as a bit inconsistent, follows in the footsteps of Jordan Taylor, Trevon Hughes, Marcus Landry, Brian Butch, Kammron Taylor and more in Portsmouth. Jon Leuer skipped the event in 2011 since he was a likely draft pick, so unfortunately none of UW's attendees have ever been drafted. In fact, only Landry and Kirk Penney have actually played in a regular season NBA game. But that is not unusual.

Most PIT alums who wind up on NBA rosters have to do it the hard way, going undrafted. Playing well at Portsmouth can plant a seed that will lead to a camp invite, workout, or free agent contract down the line. In most cases, the players that do it have size, which works in Berggren's favor.

Glancing at the roster for Berggren's Sales System, Ltd. squad, however, you had to wonder how he'd get the rock with chuckers like Khaliff Wyatt and Rotnei Clarke at guard. I can't say that watching their opening game eased my mind.

Playing in a 1-2 punch alongside Michigan State's Derrick Nix, Berggren had five points, eight rebounds and four blocks in a losing effort Thursday night. He squared off mostly with WAC Player of the Year Kyle Barone from Idaho, who had 11 rebounds and eight points on 3-of-10 shooting.

The former Badger looked well-conditioned and sank two nice-looking jumpers in the first half, but was quiet after the break. What really holds back Berggren in my opinion is that he lacks the explosiveness and fast-twitch muscle of other guys he is compete for a job against. I know, I know, the guy's vertical is sick. But he seems to need to "wind up" for rebounds (or when making a post move) more so than other guys on the court.

Interestingly, Berggren measured out at a solid 6-foot-9¾, but only 225 pounds. His wingspan was only 83 inches, a pretty small measurement for a guy his size.

Yet, like we always discuss around tourney team, all the underdog team needs is one shot at the big boys to become cinderella. And all Berggren needs is to find a team that needs a defensive-minded role player that can hit a few jumpers here and there in limited minutes. It can happen, maybe even with an NBA club. If not, there's always Europe.

Berggren plays again Friday afternoon, with his third and final game on Saturday. You can watch all the games online through CBSSports' ULIVE channel.

---

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Recruiting: Do you miss the ones that got away? Meet the "Coulda-Been-a-Badger" All-Americans

2013-03-28T22:31:06Z

When I first discovered sports message boards years ago, it was basketball recruiting that led me there. Someone told me Wisconsin was recruiting a British kid from North Carolina named Paul Guede who was going to be the next big thing. Upon asking my friend where on earth he'd heard of this guy, my eyes were opened to a new way to waste hours and hours of time online.

Sheepishly I'll admit, I was hooked.

The 6-foot-5 Guede, of course, did not sign with the Badgers and did not turn into anyone's superstar. Instead, Guede split time between Valporaiso, Portland State and junior college. He joined countless others who have been rumored to be headed to Wisconsin to play basketball over the years, a routine that repeats for every college basketball program in the country.

More on recruiting: Historical calendar Recruiting targets Scholarship grid

If you follow recruiting like I do, you might remember the names of prospects the Badgers did legitimately pursue and wonder what happened to them. Occasionally, I will be reminded of such players when they visit the Kohl Center on opposing teams' benches or at tournament time if they show up on a SportsCenter highlight.

Which of those players have fared the best away from Wisconsin? And is there anything to regret on UW's end?

Going all the way back to the class of 2008, I present the 2012-13 Coulda-Been-a-Badger All-Americans.*

First Team

Nnanna Egwu, C, Illinois
6-11, 235 lb. sophomore

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
36	25.4	2.9	6.2	46.0	0.0	0.2	16.7	0.8	1.2	63.6	2.2	2.7	4.9	0.5	1.0	0.6	1.4	3.1	6.5

Jamil Wilson, F, Marquette
6-7, 225 lb. RS junior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
33	24.8	3.4	7.6	45.2	1.0	2.8	36.3	1.8	2.4	75.0	1.5	3.3	4.8	1.7	1.5	0.6	0.8	2.5	9.7

Rodney Williams, F, Minnesota
6-7, 200 lb. senior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
33	28.2	3.8	8.2	46.8	0.3	1.3	20.5	2.2	3.5	63.2	2.2	2.8	5.0	1.7	1.6	0.8	1.3	2.5	10.1

Vander Blue, G, Marquette
6-4, 200 lb. junior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
32	32.6	5.4	11.8	46.0	1.2	3.8	30.9	2.8	3.8	75.0	0.6	2.6	3.2	1.8	2.2	1.0	0.0	1.8	14.8

Chasson Randle, G, Stanford
6-1, 180 lb. sophomore

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
34	31.0	4.6	11.5	39.9	1.8	5.0	35.9	2.7	3.4	78.4	0.7	2.3	2.9	2.6	2.3	1.1	0.1	2.9	13.6

Wisconsin went hard after all of these players for a time, particularly Egwu, Randle and Blue. After Egwu chose the Illini, Wisconsin grabbed Frank Kaminsky in 2011, which could be a push over time. Randle had a fantastic freshman year for Stanford a year ago, while Blue has blossomed as junior. The one-time Badger commit led Marquette in minutes and points this season while earning second-team All-Big East honors. His last-second heroics on a slashing drive propelled the Golden Eagles past upset-minded Davidson on the NCAA tournament's opening weekend, and he also scored 19 of his 29 points in the second half to help beat Butler and advance to the Sweet 16. Those who chuckled about how Blue made a mistake and was languishing at Marquette are probably a bit quieter these days.

The Badgers were playing from behind with Royce White and Williams, who had ground to make up academically, out of Minnesota in Mike Bruesewitz's class (2009). Wilson was the prize in-state that year, but it became clear he'd head out of state -- Wilson signed with ~~Nike~~ Oregon before transferring home.

Second Team

Scott Suggs, G, Washington
6-6, 195 lb. RS senior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
31	30.8	4.3	10.2	42.4	1.8	4.6	38.7	1.7	2.0	87.1	0.4	1.9	2.3	1.3	1.9	0.6	0.3	1.9	12.2

Joseph Bertrand, G, Illinois
6-5, 195 lb. RS junior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
35	22.7	2.9	5.8	50.2	0.5	1.5	32.1	1.0	1.3	77.3	1.3	2.7	4.1	0.6	1.1	0.9	0.2	2.3	7.3

Grant Gibbs, G, Creighton
6-5, 210 lb. RS senior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
36	30.8	3.1	5.9	53.1	0.6	1.5	39.6	1.6	2.2	75.6	0.6	3.5	4.1	5.8	2.2	0.9	0.2	2.5	8.5

Lenzelle Smith Jr., G, Ohio State
6-4, 210 lb. junior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
35	27.3	3.4	7.8	43.6	1.4	3.7	37.5	1.3	1.9	67.7	1.2	3.6	4.8	1.5	1.3	0.5	0.1	1.8	9.4

Eron Harris, G, West Virginia
6-2, 190 lb. freshman

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
31	22.0	3.1	7.3	41.9	1.4	4.0	35.2	2.3	3.0	77.2	0.5	1.8	2.3	1.0	1.5	0.8	0.1	1.5	9.8

Yup, all guards. And most of them fall under the category of players Wisconsin wasn't all that close to landing. The exception would be Harris, who had UW as his top choice before the coaching staff cooled on him. The Badgers were scouting Harris as a late addition to the 2012 class for his smooth shooting stroke and potential to be a perimeter defender down the road. Harris had a surprising rookie campaign for a bad Bob Huggins team in Morgantown, earning honorable mention accolades in the Big East.

Third Team

Adam Woodbury, C, Iowa
7-1, 235 lb. freshman

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
36	16.2	2.2	4.3	50.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.6	1.2	48.8	1.8	3.0	4.8	0.6	1.3	0.4	0.8	2.5	4.9

Sheldon Jeter, F, Vanderbilt
6-7, 215 lb. freshman

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
33	17.5	1.9	4.1	47.1	0.8	1.9	39.1	0.8	1.3	64.3	0.8	2.5	3.4	0.4	0.8	0.5	0.5	2.1	5.5

Trent Lockett, G/F, Marquette
6-5, 210 lb. senior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
33	26.7	2.3	5.4	41.9	0.4	1.2	34.2	2.2	3.0	74.7	1.6	3.3	4.9	1.8	1.9	0.8	0.4	2.5	7.2

Cameron Wright, G, Pittsburgh
6-4, 205 lb. junior

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
31	14.6	1.7	3.5	50.5	0.1	0.3	44.4	0.6	1.1	57.1	0.4	1.0	1.4	1.1	0.6	0.7	0.2	1.3	4.3

Damarcus Harrison, G, Clemson
6-4, 195 lb. sophomore

		FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
31	21.4	2.1	5.8	36.3	0.5	2.2	22.4	0.5	0.7	73.9	0.6	2.1	2.8	1.1	0.8	0.8	0.2	1.5	5.2

Jeter and Wright stand out in this group. Another very real possibility for the second 2012 scholarship that eventually went to Zak Showalter, Jeter started seven games as a frosh this year and played in all 33 for Vandy. In the initial scramble after Blue's decommitment, Wisconsin locked onto former Ohio State commit Wright. When Wright went east, the Badgers quickly offered Josh Gasser and the rest is history. Wright started 10 games for Pitt as a sophomore, but has yet to make a real impact.

Honorable Mention
Jordan Prosser, Bradley (RS Jr.); Myke Henry, Illinois (So.); Mike Shaw, Illinois (So.); Damarcus Harrison, Clemson (So.); J.P. Tokoto, North Carolina (Fr.)

Incomplete
J.D. Weatherspoon, Toledo (RS); Marshall Plumlee, Duke (RS Fr. - injured); Kenny Kaminski, Michigan State (RS)

*The extent to which these players were "close" to being a Badger obviously varies

* * *

Think back now ... where were the gaps on this year's Badger roster? Here's a simplified list.

- Experienced, careful point guard
- Quick perimeter defender
- Efficient inside scorer

As you can see, not all of these problems could be solved by simply swapping out for players on this list. Blue's ability to slash to the hoop and defend would have been a welcome addition to be sure. Someone who could have finished better near the bucket, say on alley-oops, than Ryan Evans (ie: Williams) would have come in handy, too. Randle has been more of a combo guard for Stanford, so it's not clear he would have been a season-altering floor general for Bo Ryan.

Though the Badgers defended superbly throughout the season, no one had quite the right blend of size and quickness to stop players like Joe Harris, Jermaine Marshall, Aaron White, D.J. Byrd, and Marshall Henderson at times. That is where a Joe Bertrand or Lenzelle Smith would have been valuable.

Or, you know, Gasser.

Wisconsin Was Like a Box of Chocolates

2013-03-25T21:48:09Z

Wisconsin was supposed to play last night. At least once more.

After winning 23 games against the fifth-toughest schedule in the nation, you and I weren't wrong to expect more from the Badgers. Bo Ryan may not make deep runs in the tournament, but his teams just don't get booted in the first round.

Then again, the way the season ended was fitting actually. The Badgers failed to show up in a lot of winnable games this year that ultimately cost them a better seeding in the tournament. In turn, fifth-seeded Wisconsin ran into a criminally underrated Ole Miss squad that ended this infuriating season, once and for all. A disappointing ending was not a surprise.

That's not to say the road there was predictable though.

All things considered, I truly enjoyed following the Badgers this season because it wasn't boring. Far from it. The same attributes that made the Badgers frustrating to watch also made them interesting, and you never knew which Badgers would show up, especially when it came to shooting.

Would Wisconsin score less than 20 points in the half or would they score 40? What row of seats will passes from Traevon Jackson and Mike Bruesewitz land in? Who will attempt (maybe even make) the longest 3-pointer -- Sam Dekker or Ben Brust?

"We sat at 9-4. The four losses were to some really good teams, so people didn't know what we had." -Bo Ryan

I've used the word "roller coaster" as an adjective more during the 2012-'13 season than any other year. For a UW team that packed more highlight reel dunks and buzzer beaters into one season than any other group I can remember, it was made to look soft on just as many other occasions. There was very little consistency in execution from game to game.

To many, that responsibility falls on the three senior starters. It is impossible to disagree.

Jared Berggren stepped into his current role last year as a redshirt junior after learning the ropes from Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankivil. Rather than grow into an offensive weapon, however, Berggren slowly lost his 3-point touch and never became assertive down low. Luckily he did develop into one of most well-rounded post defenders Ryan has ever coached, finishing his career with a school-record 144 block (73 this season).

The offensive struggles of Ryan Evans have been examined thoroughly. But when he worked his inside game, as he did during the Big Ten tournament, his potential was downright intriguing.

What can you say about Mike Bruesewitz? With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that the guy had all the heart, just not the game to match. I wish we could have seen him completely healthy all year.

Wisconsin needed these guys to be the best versions of themselves in order to advance in March. But that's not what happened. Rather, each senior ended his career with a whimper.

Prior to the season, I was optimistic about the Badgers because their ceiling seemed high. Due to Josh Gasser's injury, however, I couldn't shake the feeling that the team never reached their potential.

Breaking in a brand new starting back court, everyone knew there would be bumps in the road. But we did not expect Wisconsin to be in contention for a Big Ten title, an exciting diversion that wins over Indiana and Michigan afforded the Badgers.

"Our guard play was much steadier once the Big Ten started, not that we had terrible moments in non-conference," said Ryan after Selection Sunday. "We sat at 9-4. The four losses were to some really good teams, so people didn't know what we had."

It turned out that what Ryan had was a very good defensive team full of streaky shooters.

Yet, in retrospect, I've decided this year's team did reach its potential. Not just once, but in every one of its huge wins. The Badgers just couldn't sustain that high level of play, given their limitations.

So maybe that final loss to Ole Miss will nag at the seniors -- walk-ons included -- as they depart. I doubt it will haunt them though. They're young. They had fun. And for the most part, they won.

And if you ever need a reminder of how young and crazy the kids on this year's team were, check out BTN's season finale of The Journey, where the Badger players engaged in a prolonged, awkwardly hilarious clap-and-beatbox rendition of who-knows-what song after their Big Ten tournament win over Indiana.

I never expected to see footage quite like that of a group of major college basketball players. But with this group there were always surprises. So that will be how I choose to remember them.

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Wisconsin-Mississippi Preview: B5Q Grills Red Cup Rebellion

2013-03-21T12:45:07Z

After getting a taste of how good it can be with back-to-back wins over Michigan and Indiana last week, Wisconsin seems primed to do what it always does: start the NCAA tournament out with a victory. After all, Bo Ryan is 10-1 in NCAA openers at UW despite garnering criticism for his teams' lack of postseason prowess.

But excuse me if I'm not thrilled with the draw. As a reward for an up-and-down regular season and a recent run to the Big Ten title game, the fifth-seeded Badgers (23-11, 12-6 Big Ten) got handed a stick of dynamite in the West Regional. The 12th-seeded Mississippi Rebels (26-8, 12-6 SEC) were NIT-bound until going on a conference tournament tear led by the infamous Marshall Henderson. Though starting point guard Jarvis Summers suffered a concussion in the opening round, Derek Millinghaus and Snoop White filled in to help Ole Miss upset Florida in the SEC championship game. Summers should be ready to play Friday morning, with tip scheduled for 11:40 CDT in Kansas City.

Ole Miss is an odd duck of a team. It likes to play fast, but at the same time is just as good as Wisconsin at avoiding turnovers. The Rebels shooting got better in conference play, but their defense got much worse in a weak SEC that has already seem its two top bubble teams (Kentucky and Tennessee) upset in the NIT's first round. Yet the South is determined to rise again if you listen to Rebel fans.

To get an Ole Miss take on this intriguing 5/12 matchup, we invited The Ghost of Jay Cutler (aka Bob Lynch) from Red Cup Rebellion to answer a few questions.

B5Q: The SEC has taken a lot of flack this season. It is rated below the other five power conferences, the Mountain West, and even has a lower RPI than the A-10. Was the dip in quality from previous years noticeable as you watched the regular season? Is the South just experiencing a down-cycle in talent?

Red Cup Rebellion: I think the SEC did itself a disservice with out of conference scheduling this year. Few SEC teams played against great out of conference competition, and those who did schedule tougher non-SEC teams did not really impress during those games (such as Alabama against VCU). Because of this, the SEC earned an early reputation as a weak power conference this season and was not able to improve upon that with underwhelming and inconsistent conference play. I do agree that the SEC is probably the worst power conference talent wise this year, but I also don't think it's as bad as the conference's detractors want it to be.

Basically, the way SEC fans feel about the B1G in football, well that's sort of what everyone else is doing regarding the SEC in basketball. We're not bad, we're just not particularly great, and we're in a bit of a slump.

Why that is though I cannot be sure. There are likely a myriad of factors at play. I would argue that the South is definitely not experiencing a down-cycle in talent. My evidence for this claim is Deadspin's story from Tuesday which demonstrates that Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana are some of the most basketball talent rich states in the country. In looking at the Rivals.com Top 150 for 2013, you'll see a lot of guys from Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, with a smaller but not insignificant number of recruits from Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, and so forth. A lot of these talents wind up at Kentucky (which doesn't at all explain their struggles this year, something which I'm still trying to comprehend) or Florida, with several others opting to sign with non-SEC basketball powers like Duke, Memphis, Kansas, and so forth.

(Ed. note: I've noticed this same thing myself. Year after year there is an ungodly amount of highly-rated hoops talent coming out of the South. How is the SEC not a top conference every year?! I've hypothesized that evaluators are biased toward the athleticism in these recruits, ignoring whether their actually good at basketball. But I digress...)

So the real question is then why are a lot of players from the Southeast not playing in the Southeastern Conference? I think the image of the conference as a collection of football programs plus Kentucky has a lot to do with it, as does the significant coaching turnover we've seen in the conference as of late.

B5Q: Mississippi plays at a very contrasting style compared to Wisconsin. The Rebels push one of the fastest tempos in the country, running the quickest pace of any SEC team during conference play. Wisconsin is 1-1 against the SEC this season, having beaten a similarly fast-paced Arkansas team early in the year (but falling to a "slow" Florida team). How successful do you think Andy Kennedy's crew can be at speeding up the famously methodical Badgers?

RCR: I think this team can be successful in speeding up the game if they're smart with the basketball and their shot selection. Basically if this team can limit turnovers and avoid high-risk shots they'll have more control over the game's pace. That is something they have struggled with a lot this year though, especially early on against good competition, so I wouldn't count on that taking place.

B5Q: Certainly Ole Miss wouldn't be where it is today without Marshall Henderson. He is also one of college basketball's greatest villains ever, a splendid combination of J.J. Redick and Ron Artest. He also sports a fantastic nickname: "The Landshark." How do you describe the Marshall Henderson phenomenon and how much it means to the program? Where do you see Henderson being in five years? NBA? Professional wrestling? Prison?

RCR: We love Marshall Henderson, but we also fully realize that few others do and completely understand why that is. Frankly, I think we Ole Miss fans are just happy to have the attention. This is easily the most press our basketball team has gotten since the Bryce Drew buzzer beater in 1998.

Regarding his future, I think of the options you've provided, pro wrestling is where I would hope he ends up. He's such a perfect heel.

B5Q: Besides being crazy, Henderson is also very good. He is the SEC's leading scorer (20.1 ppg) and has made more 3-pointers (131) than all but one other player in Division I. Is the key to beating Ole Miss as simple as forcing Henderson into a bad night?

RCR: In short, yes. In our two worst losses this year, which came on the road against South Carolina and Mississippi State, Henderson went 4-of-17 and 4-of-19 from the floor, respectively.

B5Q: With Henderson capturing more attention than perhaps any other single player this tournament, his teammates are going to fly under the radar. Describe who the most important supporting pieces have been for the Rebels this season that might play a big role on Friday.

RCR: You're right in that Henderson gets all the attention, but most Ole Miss fans would call forward Murphy Holloway this team's MVP. He is just a hair away from averaging a double-double with 14.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. His rebounds mark is good for first in the SEC, to boot. Reginald Buckner is also a major contributor to this team's success, but primarily on defense where he averages 2.7 blocks per game, a mark which is also best in the SEC.

And, in typing this, it just how hit me that Ole Miss can boast the SEC's top scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. That's probably never happened before.

B5Q: Ole Miss ran its record to 17-2 in late January and rose to as high as No. 16 in the AP poll until injuries decimated its rotation. Big man Aaron Jones suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the ensuing loss to Kentucky. Center Demarco Cox was lost for the year as well, and senior guard Nick Williams also missed time. Can you explain the impact these injuries had on the team's momentum?

RCR: Losing Jones, Cox, Williams, and (for a short while) Anthony Perez absolutely decimated our depth and rotation, especially up front. Their injuries meant that, for several games, a 6'6" freshman forward named Terry Brutus had to spell Buckner or Holloway or fill in for them during foul trouble. Brutus is, at best, a guy who can come off of the bench and eat up minutes as a wing. Counting him to defend and rebound down low is just asking too much out of him. It just has been a bad situation all around since those injuries, especially Jones'. Aaron Jones is easily the most athletic of the injured big men and proved himself to be an adept defender and rebounder off of the bench, so missing him really hurt a lot.

B5Q: Has there been any common thread between the Rebels' losses this season? They have been beaten by some pretty bad teams, like Indiana State, Mississippi State and South Carolina.

RCR: As mentioned earlier, Henderson really struggled in those games. On top of that, we were not able to create offense elsewhere, especially outside of the paint or coming off of the bench. We just looked and played really, really one dimensionally in those losses, with that one dimension being ineffective.

B5Q: Prior to its run to the SEC tourney championship, Ole Miss was 16-1 at home and 7-7 elsewhere. Though it may have exorcised some neutral court demons, there does seem to be a disconnect in Mississippi's comfort level at home versus being on the road. The Rebels play in the smallest arena (9,061 capacity) in the SEC, C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum, and will play Wisconsin in Kansas City's Sprint Center, which holds 18,972 fans. Is this team comfortable away from Oxford and how much will the three-game run last weekend aid Ole Miss in its preparation for the NCAAs?

RCR: The "affectionately" named Tad Pad is, in spite of it's slated demolition, a good home court for our program. It's cozy, sure, but its construction renders it one of the SEC's more intimidating venues. When Rebel fans are excited about the program, the place quickly sells out and fills up, and can be very raucous. The team, therefore, plays very well at home and, until this past weekend, really struggles away from it. Considering how well they played in Nashville, maybe I can now say that this team is ready to shine way from Tad Smith Coliseum, but I will hold off on that until I see it this Friday.

B5Q: I am convinced that Henderson and Wisconsin's Mike Bruesewitz are already acquainted through some secret society for hype men. But Bruesewitz's game probably doesn't scare the Rebels all that much. Which Badger player or matchup are you most worried about in this 5-12 game?

RCR: Easily Ben Brust matching up against anyone in our back court, because we do not defend the perimeter particularly well. If he plays particularly well, then we should have a tough time answering offensively.

B5Q: If you dare, make a prediction on Friday's outcome.

RCR: I'll say this: I fully expected this team to lose to Mizzou to open the SEC Tournament. I then wasn't too confident that they'd do well against Vanderbilt, even though I was pleased to play them instead of Kentucky. After that, it was a foregone conclusion in my mind that they'd lose to Florida in the tournament final. So this team has exceeded my expectations as of late and, in keeping with that, I'll continue to maintain said low expectations. The Rebels will have a tough go on offense early against Wisconsin, and it will be a slow, agonizing defeat in Kansas City. I'll say something to the tune of 55-66 in favor of the Badgers.

Our thanks to Bob for being a good Southern gentleman and playing along with this NCAA Tournament grilling. You can find more Rebel wisdom on Twitter @RedCupRebellion.

Projected Starting Lineups

Wisconsin	Pos.	Mississippi
Jared Berggren, Sr.	C	Reginald Buckner, Sr.
Mike Bruesewitz, Sr.	F	Murphy Holloway, Sr.
Ryan Evans, Sr.	F / G	Nick Williams, Sr.
Ben Brust, Jr.	G	Marshall Henderson, Jr.
Traevon Jackson, So.	G	Jarvis Summers, So.

KenPom win probability: 71% (68-62 W) 66 possessions

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Seton Hall player can transfer to "only" 40 schools

2013-03-20T18:07:14Z

Seton Hall player can transfer to "only" 40 schools

Prospective transfer Aaron Cosby has been released by Seton Hall to talk with 40 schools. Wait, does that mean he's been blocked from contacting the other 307 Division 1 teams?! WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE!!!

No, it probably means Seton Hall approved 40 schools that Cosby submitted requests to look at. The other 307 schools? Who cares.

Sorry, this subject will always be a sore spot for Badger fans. This is just another example of how ridiculous the media was in vilifying Bo Ryan when Jarrod Uthoff left Wisconsin. Uthoff had no intention of transferring to Duke or Georgia Tech. But when media momentum gets behind a "great story" like "Wisconsin blocks Uthoff from entire ACC," it is a shame nobody stops to think about what is really happening.

(h/t to The Champaign Room)