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ESPN.com's college basketball section put together a whole host of categories looking toward next season, and the Badgers were represented fairly well. Bo Ryan's squad was labeled one of the deepest teams (Insider) in the land. Frank Kaminsky was ranked as one of the best returning centers in the country. And Sam Dekker was slotted as one of the best returning small forwards. In somewhat of a surprise, Josh Gasser wasn't listed among the best returning lockdown defenders (Insider).
It's difficult for any freshman in the world of college basketball to see the court, much less make a legitimate impact. Needless to say, Nigel Hayes made it seem effortless at times last year, using his signature spin move in the post to capture the conference's Sixth Man of the Year Award. Bart looks back at the super freshman's solid 2013-14 season.
Head coach Gary Andersen joined the Mike Heller Show to discuss some former players being drafted over the weekend. By and large, the premise of former UW stars hearing their names called will only help Andersen's program get recognized on the national level, and he acknowledges that in the segment.
Speaking of which, Mike put together everything you need to know regarding sustained and new interest on the recruiting trail. If you missed any remarks or newsworthy notes regarding the Badger draftees, the Wisconsin State Journal's Rob Hernandez compiled a list for each draftee.
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper handed out his draft grades, and shares some thoughts about the UW alums (Insider). He believes Chris Borland adds "immediate depth at linebacker and has the experience to play now." He also thinks the Falcons adequately filled their need at safety with Dezman Southward, calling the Florida native "a pretty good safety prospect." Kiper likes the Patriots selection of James White, and "loved" Jared Abbrederis to the Packers.
Michael and Marcus Trotter came to the UW campus in the summer of 2010, with the former being on scholarship and the latter a walk-on. With Michael's switch to the inside linebacker position, the brothers are now playing next to each other on the front seven. The Racine Journal Times' Gery Woelfel has a quick blurb on the twins.
Quick Hitters
Wisconsin's softball team will make its second-straight NCAA tournament appearance after learning its fate on Sunday night. Yvette Healy's squad will head out to the West Regional to face Albany (30-10) Friday.
Where is the Big Ten headed? Is it slowly, but surely going to be turned into a massive East Coast monopoly? There's an incredibly dynamic argument on both sides of the spectrum, and Omaha.com's Tom Shatel has a great piece on commissioner Jim Delaney and co.
Video of the Day
Former All-Big Ten selection and current Carolina Panthers punter Brad Nortman is largely known for his two fake-punt plays (against Iowa and TCU) and the penalty he took against Michigan State to clinch the 2011 Big Ten Championship for the Badgers. The Brookfield, Wisconsin, native finished third in school history with a net average of 42.1 yards per punt. More importantly, though, he averaged 14 yards per carry.